Management Control Strategy of Devastated Tomato Borer, Tuta absoluta on Tomato Crop at El-Behira Governorate, Egypt.

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during two successive summer seasons, 2016 and 2017 to compare some methods of integrated pest management (IPM) program against T. absoluta with a control field (untreated field) from 3rd May to 3rd July at El- Berka village, Abu-Hommus district, El-Behira Governorate. Results showed that larval activity of T. absoluta during both two seasons, 2016 and 2017 was higher in control field (23.11±1.82 mean no. of larvae/leaf) than in IPM field program (2.71±0.40 mean no. of larvae/leaf). The numbers of male captures per trap per 3 days were increased during the experiment in an IPM field with overall mean no. of 201.29±4.81 males per trap per 3 days. However, the mean no. of male catches was 186.9±7.23 males/trap/3 days in control field with significant difference between them during two successive seasons. A thorough research program towards developing some sequence tactics in IPM program for T. absoluta including a foliar spray of Thiamethoxam 20%WG + Chlorantraniliprole 20%WG mixture, Flubendiamid 20%WG, Abamectin 8.4%SC, Spinetoram 12%SC and water mass trapping male moths using red plastic basin water trap (about 10 lure traps/ feddan) on tomato variety, K186. Such an approach would not only allow for reducing the pest, but also result in a better understanding management strategy of devastated tomato borer, T. absoluta in a given region.