Pest Of Tomato Research Articles

Associational Resistance Using Wild and Commercial Tomato Genotypes Employed in the Management of Tomato Virus Vectors

Some of the key pests of tomatoes are virus vectors, such as whiteflies, green peach aphids, and thrips, mainly because there is a lack of full resistance to the transmitted viruses. Alternatives to reduce this problem include the use of a push-and-pull strategy. Hence, this work assessed the association between Solanum habrochaites PI 1344117, used as a companion plant, and commercial tomato varieties over tomato virus vectors and the yield quality and quantity. Field and greenhouse trials were run during the 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 seasons. The treatments were BRS Tospodoro and BRS Tyão cultivated as monocrops and associated with PI-134417. The number of these insects was assessed by directly counting ten plants per plot and using captures on yellow sticky traps settled in the center of the plots. The yield and the number of irregularly ripening fruits (a symptom caused by whiteflies) were also measured. Both commercial cultivars gained from the protective effect of PI 134417, expressed by the significant reduction in the virus vectors on the plants. It was also noticed that there was a reduction in the number of irregularly ripening fruits, improving the fruit quality. These results encourage the use of wild and commercial tomato genotypes in association with implementing strategies to control tomato virus vectors, reducing the need to rely only on a chemical control.

Forecasting the population development of within-season insect crop pests in sub-Saharan Africa: the Pest Risk Information Service

Abstract Smallholder farmers are the mainstay of the agricultural economies of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where they produce several crops, predominantly centered on maize. Smallholder productivity remains limited resulting from a range of confounding factors, but a primary cause is loss from pests and diseases, particularly insects. To improve productivity, recommendations for the mitigation of crop loss globally include early-warning and management systems for in-season indigenous pests. There are many early-warning systems in temperate regions; however, such systems are poorly established in Africa. This is in part due to the need for a combination of pest modeling, data handling and dissemination infrastructure, capacity, and resource provision. While each of these components is progressing in Africa, the means to successfully deploy such systems remain limited. To bridge this, the development of the Pest Risk Information Service (PRISE) began in 2017 for farmers in SSA. Implemented in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia, PRISE developed temperature-driven phenology models for major maize, bean, and tomato pests. Using downscaled and processed Earth Observation data to drive the models, PRISE partnered with African national agencies to communicate pre- and in-season pest alerts that forecast the time to act against key insect pests. Alerts were designed to be integrated into country-specific Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) recommendations to provide a complementary package to agricultural stakeholders. End line studies with farmers showed that those who received information about the target crops including PRISE pest forecasts, generally reported better outcomes in terms of reduced losses and increased incomes compared with farmers who did not.

The influence of bioinsecticides on the effectiveness of pest protection and productivity of tomatoes and sweet peppers in open ground in the Rostov region

In open ground conditions of the Rostov region, on improved natural soils, the effect of bioinsecticides for protection against the main pests of tomato and sweet pepper was assessed. The issues of the influence of the use of bioinsecticides on the size of the early and total yield of nightshade crops are considered. It was found that 4-fold treatment with the bioinsecticides Matrin Bio and Probrand contributed to the maximum suppression of melon aphids, spider mites and cutworms, but only provided approximately 50% protection against whiteflies. In general, the use of bioinsecticides for protection against pests, especially such as Probrand and Matrine Bio, is an effective technique that helps increase the yield of the early and overall harvest, and given the absence of harm from bioinsecticides, it makes it possible to obtain high-quality products. When choosing a varietal composition, pay attention to the tomato hybrid Makhitos F1 and the Rozovyy flamingo variety, and the sweet pepper varieties Knyaz’ serebryanyy and Zolotoe Chudo, bred by the Rostov CC and having a high adaptation potential to the local conditions of the Azov zone.

A deep learning-based mobile app system for visual identification of tomato plant disease

<span lang="EN-US">Tomato is one of many horticulture crops in Indonesia which plays a vital role in supplying public food needs. However, tomato is a very susceptible plant to pests and diseases caused by bacteria and fungus. The infected diseases should be isolated as soon as it was detected. Therefore, developing a reliable and fast system is essential for controlling tomato pests and diseases. The deep learning-based application can help to speed up the identification of tomato disease as it can perform direct identification from the image. In this research, EfficientNetB0 was implemented to perform multi-class tomato plant disease classification. The model was then deployed to an android-based application using machine learning (ML) kit library. The proposed system obtained satisfactory results, reaching an average accuracy of 91.4%.</span>

Synergistic of Trichoderma virede and Beauveria bassiana to Biocontrol Tomata Against and Bemisia tabaci

In Iraq, Bemisia tabaci is a major Tomato pest that causes significant crop losses, which lowers farmers’ revenue. The purpose of this study was to detect entomopathogenic fungus from dead whiteflies and to assess their relative frequency and different structural characteristics. Only two fungal species, Trichodrema virede and Beauveria bassiana, with relative frequencies of 15.07 and 10.94%, respectively, were validated microscopically as recognised entomopathogenic species out of the 11 fungal species isolated from the whitefly cadavers. The 7th day following inoculation was when T. virede and B. bassiana had the largest mortality impact on B. tabaci nymphs and adults, with an average mortality of more than 60% (with a concentration of 106 conidia/ml). In comparison to nymphs, suspension T.virede and B.bassiana. were significantly twice as pathogenic.

Botanical biopesticides have an influence on tomato quality through pest control and are cost-effective for farmers in developing countries.

Synthetic insecticides heavily applied to manage agricultural pests are highly hazardous to the environment and non-target organisms. Their overuse through repeated treatments in smallholder farming communities is frequent. Botanical biopesticides are ideal for sustainable pest management in agricultural environments by keeping synthetic insecticide use at a minimum. Here we evaluated a locally prepared neem seed extract (NSE) alongside emamectin benzoate against both lepidopteran pests Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) on tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill under natural field conditions in Pakistan. We compared pest severity, fruit injury, quality, marketability, and cost:benefit ratio (CBR) between treatments. The concentration of azadirachtin A in the NSE was 26.5 ppm. NSE at 2% (20 mL/L) and the emamectin benzoate at the recommended field rate in Pakistan were sprayed weekly throughout the fruiting stage. The pest larvae were significantly more abundant on fruits than on flowers and leaves. Fruit injury and losses were significantly more important in untreated control compared to NSE and emamectin benzoate treatments. NSE efficacy varied with respect to the cultivars used and the seasons. Cultivar Eden harboured more pests than Adventa, and emamectin benzoate suppressed more pest individuals than NSE. Both the insecticidal treatments were comparable in terms of marketable yield productions as well as unmarketable, uninjured, and recovered fruit yields. NSE generated a higher CBR (1: 9.26) than emamectin benzoate (1: 3.23). NSE suppressed pests by acting as an antifeedant, similar to its synthetic counterpart. Smallholder growers can thus use NSE as a cost-effective solution in tomato pest management in Pakistan.

Comprehensive comparative toxicity study on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and brinjal (Solanum melongena) using green labelled insecticides against Bemisia tabaci

Bemisia tabaci a serious sucking pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), is mostly managed using high-dose conventional insecticides, which are harmful for end-users and the environment. Target-insect is also known to exhibit host-dependent variation in insecticidal toxicities; therefore an experiment was conducted during 2020–22 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the host-specific toxicity relationships on tomato and brinjal using market-available safer insecticides with green labels in the Indian context. Bioefficacy evaluated on eggs, nymphs, and adults using leaf-dip bioassay (IRAC) recorded higher LC50 for candidate insecticides (clothianidin, spinetoram and cyantraniliprole), but lower toxicities for azadirachtin and novaluron for test-insects reared on brinjal. The possible role of test-leaf on LC50 was evaluated in a reciprocal way, i.e. test-populations grown in tomato were subjected to brinjal leaf bioassay and vice versa. This resulted to no significant change in LC50 and implies no effect of the test leaf. Feeding (honeydew excretion) and oviposition studies showed higher honeydew excretion (76.4 mm2) and egg-laying (43.6 eggs) per 20 adults on brinjal. Detoxification enzymatic activities in control showed the test enzymes, viz. carboxylesterase, glutathion S-transferase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, were at higher concentrations in the brinjal population, i.e. 1.75, 1.43 µ mol/min/mg, and 3.10 n mol/min/mg of protein. Results showed that brinjal is the preferred host for B. tabaci, on which it develops healthier and resulting in a higher insecticide dose to arrive at the desired lethal effect.

Effect of application equipment to biopesticides for whitefly control (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) in greenhouses

The Greenhouse Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the main pests in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Pest control with entomopathogenic fungi is an option to reduce the use of agrochemicals. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application equipment in the control of Trialeurodes vaporariorumthrough the application of the entomopathogenic Isaria javanica. Two trials were carried out (autumn and spring). I. javanica was applied with three pieces of equipment: a hydraulic sprayer with a gun, a pneumatic back-mounted sprayer, and a fixed fogger system. The number of adults and nymphs in different parts of the plant were counted. In both trials the greatest control of adults was observed with the pneumatic sprayer and the control achieved by misting and hydraulic spraying was similar. The control of nymphs was greater with a pneumatic sprayer, but there was also good control with fogger, especially in spring. Consideringthat the number of individuals was below the application threshold, the control was adequate with the three teams. Based on this, if a quick application is sought andthe operator does not enter the greenhouse, the fogger system is a recommended option.

Indoxacarb resistance in Iranian populations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): Cross-resistance, biochemical and molecular mechanisms

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is an invasive tomato pest that occurs worldwide, including Iran. This study investigates the occurrence of resistance to indoxacarb, an oxadiazine insecticide, and the underlying mechanisms in Iranian populations of T. absoluta. Bioassays were performed on second-instar larvae using indoxacarb alone and in combination with three synergists: Piperonyl butoxide (PBO), diethyl maleate (DEM), and triphenyl phosphate (TPP). The activities of the main detoxification enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases (GST), general carboxylesterases (CarEs), and P450 monooxygenases (P450s), were evaluated. In addition, the presence of known amino acid substitutions in the IV segment 6 domain of the T. absoluta sodium channel was investigated. The results showed that resistance rates to indoxacarb in Iranian populations ranged from 2.37- to 14.45-fold. However, pretreatment with synergists did not significantly increase the toxicity of indoxacarb. Enzyme assays showed that Ardabil (Ar) and Kerman (Kr) populations had the highest CarEs activity, while Ar population showed the highest P450 activity. However, the observed increases in enzyme activities were <2-fold. Two indoxacarb resistance mutations, F1845Y and V1848I, were detected. Apart from a significant and positive correlation between LC50 values of indoxacarb and thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, no cross-resistance between indoxacarb and other insecticides was detected. Overall, these results suggest that populations of T. absoluta in Iran have developed resistance to indoxacarb, primarily through changes at the target site.

Specialised Pheromone and Lure Application Technology (SPLAT-Tuta): Novel Approach for the Management of Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyr.)

The second most popular and widely cultivated vegetable in the world after potatoes is the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum M.). Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the major invasive pests of tomato which is a destructive pest of tomato in field as well as greenhouse condition. Novel SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone &amp; Lure Application Technology) for Tuta absoluta is a proprietary base matrix formulation of biologically inert materials used to control the release of semiochemicals and/or odors with or without pesticides. To check the efficiency of SPLAT technique three treatments were taken. When comparing the SPLAT field and conventional farmers practices field, SPLAT applied field (32.80 tonnes per ha) performed far superior than conventional field (21.50 tonnes per ha) in respective of leaf minor infestation and yield. Specialised Pheromone and Lure Application Technology (SPLAT) adoption favours sustainable pest management and reduces plant protection cost to the farmers.

Impact of leaf trichomes of tomatoes and weeds on the host selection and developmental bioassays of Bemisia tabaci Q and A cryptic species

The whiteflies of Bemisia tabaci complex, composed of >44 cryptic species, are economically important pests of tomatoes for their direct feeding and virus transmission. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of leaf trichomes on the host selection and development of whitefly; comparative invasiveness between B. tabaci Q and A cryptic species; and the ability of weeds as hosts of the population of insect whitefly. We carried out our investigation through adult host selection and oviposition in multi-choice conditions, immature development and survival, and adult survival and oviposition in no-choice conditions. We investigated leaf trichomes type and densities on the leaves of four tomato varieties and two weed species. Results showed that the leaf trichomes of tomatoes and weeds impact the host selection and immature development differently on the cryptic species B. tabaci Q and A. In the multi-choice case, B. tabaci Q adults preferred tomato varieties Ao-Ni-Er and He-Fen for both settling and oviposition whereas B. tabaci A preferred Ao-Ni-Er, He-Fen, and Billy-Goat-Weed for settling but oviposited more eggs on both weed species Billy-Goat-Weed and False-Mallow. Both B. tabaci Q and A adults refused Ye-Sheng either settling or oviposition. In the case of immature development, B. tabaci Q developed faster than B. tabaci A. Concerning plant, B. tabaci Q developed faster on Ao-Ni-Er, He-Fen and Billy-Goat-Weed but B. tabaci A on Billy-Goat-Weed, False-Mallow and Ao-Ni-Er. The immature survival of Q was higher than that of A. Immature of B. tabaci Q survived well (68.6–86.8%) on all plants except Ye-Sheng (49.3%) but B. tabaci A survived very less (0–17.6%) on any tomatoes where 70.4% on Billy-Goat-Weed and 60.5% on False-Mallow. After seven days of adult infestation, both B. tabaci Q and A died on Ye-Sheng where 52.5–78.1% survivorships were observed on other plants. In seven days, B. tabaci Q laid more eggs compared to B. tabaci A. Considering the plants, both species laid more eggs on Ao-Ni-Er, He-Fen and False-Mallow, whereas the lowest number was laid on Ye-Sheng. The highest number of glandular trichome Type IV was observed on Ye-Sheng which showed resistance against both B. tabaci Q and A cryptic species. The cryptic species B. tabaci Q showed a wider range adaptation ability on plants than that of A. Weeds can play a significant role as an infestation source of whiteflies to tomatoes and other crops. These findings suggest that glandular trichomes may be used in plant breeding programmes for the development of whitefly-resistant crop cultivars.

Induction of glandular trichomes to control whitefly-transmitted viruses in tomato crops: modulation by the natural enemy Nesidiocoris tenuis.

Whitefly-transmitted viruses are one of the biggest threats to tomato growing worldwide. Strategies based on the introgression of resistance traits from wild relatives are promoted to control tomato pests and diseases. Recently, a trichome-based resistance characterizing the wild species Solanum pimpinellifolium was introgressed into a cultivated tomato. An advanced backcross line (BC5S2) exhibiting the presence of acylsugars-associated type IV trichomes, which are lacking in cultivated tomatoes, was effective at controlling whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and limiting the spread of whitefly-transmitted viruses. However, at early growth stages, type IV trichomes density and acylsugars production are limited; thus, protection against whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viruses remains irrelevant. In this work, we demonstrate that young BC5S2 tomato plants feeding-punctured by the zoophytophagous predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) displayed an increase (above 50%) in type IV trichomes density. Acylsugars production was consistently increased in N. tenuis-punctured BC5S2 plants, which was more likely associated with upregulated expression of BCKD-E2 gene related to acylsugars biosynthesis. In addition, the infestation of BC5S2 plants with N. tenuis effectively induced the expression of defensive genes involved in the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, resulting in strong repellence to B. tabaci and attractiveness to N. tenuis. Thus, by pre-plant release of N. tenuis in tomato nurseries carried out in some integrated pest management programs, type IV trichome-expressing plants can be prepared to control whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viruses at early growth stages. This study emphasizes the advantage of reinforcing constitutive resistance using defense inducers to guarantee robust protection against pests and transmitted viruses.

Combined use of zoophytophagous mirids for sustainable biological protection of greenhouse tomato crops

Tuta absoluta and Bemisia tabaci are two key worldwide tomato pests. In response to chemical control limits, the use of zoophytophagous mirid predators as biocontrol agents is being increasingly studied and proposed for the management of these pests. However, the use of some mirid species and in particular Nesidiocoris tenuis, which naturally occurs in European tomato crops, is controversial due to its ability to inflict significant damage on tomato plants (necrotic rings) in parallel of its high predation capacity. Combining other mirid species such as Macrolophus pygmaeus and Dicyphus errans with N. tenuis could reduce the population growth of T. absoluta and of B. tabaci, while maintaining N. tenuis populations below a critical crop damage threshold. In this study, we tested the effect of combining N. tenuis with M. pygmaeus (at two densities: 10 and 15 individuals per plant) and with or without D. errans (five individuals per plant) on the abundance of all insects (predators and pests) for 8 weeks. We also measured leaf damage by T. absoluta and plant and flower damage (necrotic rings, flower abortion rate) by N. tenuis. We found that the combined presence of D. errans, M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis rapidly and significantly reduced the densities of B. tabaci adults, and T. absoluta larvae and damage compared to when M. pygmaeus (with both densities) was only present with N. tenuis. The presence of D. errans was critical to reduce N. tenuis population growth and necrotic rings on tomato plants, while higher densities of M. pygmaeus density reduced the rate of aborted flowers by N. tenuis. The manipulation of M. pygmaeus densities added to the presence of D. errans could provide a sustainable solution to control multiple pests simultaneously while reducing the damaging phytophagous activity of N. tenuis in tomato crops.

Tomato pests and diseases in Bangladesh and India: farmers’ management and potential economic gains from insect resistant varieties and integrated pest management

Tomato is an important crop in Bangladesh and India, contributing to livelihoods and nutrition, but it is heavily affected by pests and diseases. This study analyzes pest and disease damage and farmers’ crop protection methods and quantified the potential economic gains of alternatives to chemical pesticides. Data come from a questionnaire survey of 744 tomato-producing farmers in India (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) and Bangladesh (Jashore). Farmers reported an average tomato yield loss from pests and diseases of 11.0 t/ha, of which Phthorimaea absoluta caused 2.1 t/ha. Farmers relied heavily on chemical pesticides, but also applied other methods. Better knowledge of pesticide health risks and beneficial insects and more use of alternative pest control methods were associated with lower pesticide use. Using an economic surplus model, we estimate ex-ante that the promotion of integrated pest management for the control of P. absoluta could generate economic gains of USD 264 million in Bangladesh and India over a 20-year period while insect resistant varieties could generate economic gains of more than USD 8.6 billion over this period.

Ecology and host manipulation by an egg‐larva parasitoid of Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

AbstractParasitoids are among the main natural enemies of crop pests. Copidosoma truncatellum (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a parasitoid of Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae), which is an important pest of soybean, bean, cotton, sunflower, tomato and potato. Copidosoma are parasitoids of lepidopteran egg‐larva, especially those of the subfamily Plusiinae. The embryonic development of the Copidosoma parasitoid begins in the lepidopteran egg, and this development extends to the beginning of the host larval stage of the parasitized lepidopteran. However, the rate of parasitism is a complex ecological relationship affected by climatic elements and age of the host. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the ecology and host manipulation exerted by the C. truncatellum parasitoid on C. includens. The research was conducted in bean crops (Phaseolus vulgaris) over 2 years. The highest rates of parasitism were observed in crops in March in both years, when it was observed that about 40% of the individuals of C. includens were parasitized by C. truncatellum. In hot seasons and with less rainfall, parasitism is greater. The age of C. includens eggs (up to 3 days) did not affect C. truncatellum parasitism. The parasitized C. includens egg and caterpillar stages, which had their durations extended, showed the parasitized C. includens caterpillars presented higher leaf consumption. Additionally, this study was conducted in the field, which makes its results representative of natural conditions. Therefore, in warm and dry seasons, more significant parasitism of C. includens by C. truncatellum is expected. Parasitism increases the duration of the stages of lepidopterans and increases food consumption by its larvae.

Management of sucking insect pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with insecticides and their impact on beneficial arthropods

Management of sucking insect pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with insecticides and their impact on beneficial arthropods

Sublethal granulovirus infections in the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta: transmission and population‐level effects

AbstractGranuloviruses are insect viruses commonly used as biological insecticides for pest control in agriculture. Most pest control programs rely on the most virulent strains and doses to cause acute mortality events. However, we hypothesize that sublethal infections are key to maintaining persistent epidemics that regulate pest populations in the long‐term. The tomato leafminer (TLM),Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) (=Phthorimaea absolutaMeyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most limiting pests of greenhouse and field tomatoes. Previous efforts have identified a strain ofPhthorimaea operculellagranulovirus (PhopGV), coded VG013, associated with field populations of the TLM, which causes significant acute mortalities and is being used as active ingredient of a biological insecticide. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sublethal infections and transmission mechanisms of PhopGV‐VG013 on TLM populations. Six viral doses were tested for their virulence and effects on TLM development rate, and intrinsic population growth rate. A sublethal dose was selected to compare the density‐dependent mortality of TLM populations and vertical transmission was examined by testing for PhopGV in the offspring of surviving infected individuals. Horizontal transmission was assessed by testing for PhopGV in frass of infected larvae, and the infection of virus‐free larvae confined with infected larvae in the same leaf. We found that sublethal doses of PhopGV have slight effects on TLM population growth rates, and none on the strength of density‐dependent mortality. Although we found for the first time that PhopGV‐VG013 is transmitted to approximately 7.5% of the offspring of individuals that survive the virus challenge, we found no evidence suggesting horizontal transmission from sublethal infections. Our results show that sublethal infections of highly virulent ganulovirus strains may favor long‐term pathogen persistence but have a limited role in host population regulation.

Menace of Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta [Meyrick,1917]): Its Impacts and Control Measures by Nepalese Farmers

A multi-site study was conducted in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Kavre, and Pokhara, Nepal, to assess the impact of Tuta absoluta and identify effective control measures from the farmers' perspective. A total of 480 tomato-growing households were randomly selected for the study. The pest posed a significant threat to tomato production, resulting in increased labor requirements (29.96%), increased expenditures on crop protection and control measures (62.18%), and significant yield losses of up to 85%. The results showed that the pest was ranked as the most important pest of tomatoes by the majority of respondents (88%), with the flowering stage being highly susceptible (99.73%). The study highlighted that the overuse of chemical pesticides disrupts integrated pest management practices, while all the respondents affected by T. absoluta used chemical and cultural control methods without using biological control methods due to a lack of knowledge. About 77.27% of the respondents used physical control methods. Among the control methods used, tomato leaf miner (TLM) bait (0.764) was rated as the most effective, followed by chemical pesticides (0.586) and sanitation (0.502). The research highlights the importance of raising awareness of integrated pest management strategies, including the use of biological control methods, for effective and sustainable management of T. absoluta. These findings will help improve pest management practices and support the long-term sustainability of tomato production in Nepal.

Distribution and Damage Potentials of Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Sindh, Pakistan

Tomato leafminer (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a serious oligophagous pest of tomatoes. Although originated in South America, it has now been introduced and spread in almost all the tomato-growing areas of the globe. Therefore, studies were undertaken to determine the infestation of T. absoluta on tomato parts at various locations of six main tomato growing areas of Sindh i.e., Badin, Thatta, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Sanghar and Shaheed Benazirabad. Five tomato fields (locations) were randomly selected from each district to determine the infestation of TLM based on its characteristic mines on tomato leaves and fruits. Tuta absoluta infestation was recorded on tomato leaves and fruits observed at all the sampling locations of six districts with significant differences among plant parts, locations, and districts. The highest infestation on leaves (19.36±0.92 %) and fruits (1.36±0.28 %) was observed from location one of Mirpur Khas district. District-wise, overall, the highest infestation of T. absoluta on tomato leaves (17.04±0.38 %) and stems (1.10±0.11 %) was recorded at Mirpur Khas, whereas Shaheed Benazirabad and Hyderabad districts suffered the lowest infestation on leaves (4.18±0.22 %) and fruits (0.26±0.04 %), respectively. The highest infestation of T. absoluta at Badin (14.10±0.28 %), Thatta (11.10±0.27 %), Sanghar (8.22±0.34 %), Hyderabad (5.32±0.18 %) and Shaheed Benazirabad (4.18±0.22 %) was also recorded on leaves. Therefore, early monitoring and management should be taken by growers to restrict the losses of T. absoluta on tomatoes, whereas government should adopt strict quarantine measures on the movement of tomato nurseries to restrict its spread.

Efficacy of &lt;i&gt;Beauveria Bassiana&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Metarhizium anisopliae&lt;/i&gt; Against &lt;i&gt;Tomato Leaf&lt;/i&gt; Miner &lt;i&gt;Phthorimaea Absoluta&lt;/i&gt;(meyrick)

The tomato leaf miner Phthorimaea absoluta(Meyrick), earlier known by the scientific name Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating global pests of tomatoes. Using indigenous entomopathogenic fungi can be a promising solution to manage it. Effıcacyof EPF isolates on third-instar larvae was carried out in Ethiopia during 2021-2022. Ten larvae were inoculated with conidiaa suspensions with three replications. The result showed that larval mortality was significantly different (p&lt;0.05) among concentrations and isolates. Beauveria bassiana isolates caused 70 to 81% mortality, the lowest LC 50 was 1.87x104 to 9.79x10 4 conidia/ ml; and LC 95 was 5.68x108 to 1.10x10 11 conidia/ml and shortest LT 50 was 3.6 to 5.7 days. These were considered highly virulent while Metarhizium anisopliae determined as moderately virulent having 46 to 63% mortality (highest LC50 was 1.36x106 to 4.94x10 7and LT 50 was 4.3 to 8 days). Results also revealed 1x10 10 conidia/ ml is the most effective dose while 1x10 6 is the least effective.