Abstract
Destructive effects of conventional insecticides on environment have created a necessity to introduce bio-rational products in pest control programs. Effectiveness of bio-pesticide (Beauvaria bassiana), natural oil (anti-insect), a botanical extract (nimbecidine) and malathion insecticide was evaluated against Thrips spp. and Bemisia tabaci attacking tomato in Kafr El Sheik, Egypt. The trial was conducted during two successive seasons; 2017-18 in a total area of 4912 m2 cultivated with tomato cultivar zero 42. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with five replications for each treatment. Yellow sticky traps were used to monitor population of both pests before and after spraying, in addition, their numbers on plants were counted. Results revealed that highest control rates of both pests were recorded after the fourth day of each spraying. Long inter-applications periods decreased effectiveness and the greatest control resulted when three consecutive sprayings were applied. Malathion achieved the highest suppression of both pests. Within the bio-rational pesticides, nimbecidine gave the greatest thrips control whereas products showed no significant difference for whiteflies. The study recommends those bio-rational compounds to join Integrated Pest Management programs of both pests in Egypt, taking into consideration spraying for 3 consecutive times with at least 5 days intervals.
Highlights
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a major world food crop; it is commercially grown in 159 countries
Effectiveness of bio-pesticide (Beauvaria bassiana), natural oil, a botanical extract and malathion insecticide was evaluated against Thrips spp. and Bemisia tabaci attacking tomato in Kafr El Sheik, Egypt
Within the bio-rational pesticides, nimbecidine gave the greatest thrips control whereas products showed no significant difference for whiteflies
Summary
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a major world food crop; it is commercially grown in 159 countries. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is considered a major insect pest for tomato crop infesting all stages throughout cropping season [5]. It is created by the over-use of pesticides that have killed off its natural enemies; for this reason the current study is investigating new and safe alternatives to control this pest. Whiteflies go round in hordes; suck plant sap resulting in a yellow mottling on the leaf surface, cause leaf loss, wilting and stunting Do they feed on plants, but they produce honey dews which spoil the plants’ appearance, attract ants, which interfere with natural enemies activities that might control whiteflies [6]. Yield losses due to direct and indirect damage caused by whiteflies were reported to the extent of 20% to 100% [7]
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