EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF TOMATO LEAF CURL VIRUS AND WHITEFLY POPULATION AND THEIR MANAGEMENT USING BOTANICALS

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important food crop extensively grown all over the world and is susceptible to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) is a devastating disease of tomato, transmitted by whitefly, ultimately results in marked reduction of tomato production. In current experiment, four tomato cultivars i.e., Reo Grande, Roma, Moneymaker and Nagina were grown under field conditions to screen against TLCV. Correlation studies revealed a positive and significant relationship among TLCV, whitefly population and environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity). Highest whitefly infestation with TLCV severity was observed on moneymaker compared to other tested cultivars. Subsequently, moneymaker was further subjected to check efficacy of botanicals (neem leaf extract and garlic clove extract), detergent and Imidacloprid against disease vector i.e., whitefly and TLCV at different concentrations under glasshouse conditions. These botanicals and detergent elucidated promising results in reducing whitefly population followed by low severity of TLCV. Whereas, Imidacloprid was most effective in reducing whitefly population up to 1.00 adult/ plant followed by neem leaf extract, garlic clove extract and detergent that reduced up to 1.33, 1.67 and 2.33 adults/ plant, respectively. It is recommended that TLCV severity could be managed by using neem leaf and garlic clove extract which ultimately reduced the whitefly population and serves as a good alternative than hazardous pesticides on food crops.