Growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato under different integrated management options against Tuta absoluta Meyrick

Abstract

 This study evaluated the effect of entomopathogens and plant extracts, used against Tuta absoluta, on growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomato. Two field trials were carried out in a randomised compled block design, replicated thrice. The treatments were Steinernema sp. RW14­M­C2a­3, Steinernema sp. RW14­M­C2a­3, Metatech®WP (Metarhizium anisopliae, Strain FCM Ar 23B3), Beauvitech®WP (Beauveria bassiana, Strain J25) as entomopathogens, Tephrosia vogelii and Phytolacca dodecandra as plant extracts, and azadirachtin 0.03% EC. Imidacloprid and water also were included as positive and negative controls, respectively. The best growth and yield parameters were recorded with the entomopathogens and azadirachtin, which were insignificantly different in most cases. The increase in yied of healthy fruit per plant (average of two trials) compared to the negative control (water spray) was 11.4, 10.8,10.1, 9.6, 3.96, 2.2, 11.7 and 2.4 folds for Steinernema sp. RW14M­C2a­3, Steinernema sp. RW14­M­C2a­3, Metatech®WP, Beauvitech WP, T. vogelii, P. dodecandra, azadirachtin, and imidacloprid, respectively. There was no significant difference in number of leaves per plant and fruit quality parameters. The entomopathogens and azadirachtin, which exhibited a capacity to enhance tomato growth and reduced yield losses due to T. absoluta, are recommended to be included in integrated pest management programme on tomato.