STUDIES ON TOMATO PINWORM, Tuta absoluta (MEYRICK) (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) AND IT’S MANAGEMENT
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Date
2019-11
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
Abstract
The studies related to seasonal incidence of tomato pinworm and its natural
enemies, response of tomato genotypes, evaluation of traps, testing of new molecules of
insecticides and development of pest management modules against Tuta absoluta
(Meyrick) were conducted at College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, University of
Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot during rabi 2017-18 to summer 2019. T. absoluta was
observed infesting tomato from nursery to till harvest. The infestation was least during
vegetative and grand growth stage but increased with advancement of the crop growth
(reproductive phase) resulting in substantial losses in the yield. Larval population, leaf
and fruit damage were observed to vary with season and stage of the crop. The peak
incidence of larva was recorded during 10th SW 2018 (15.02 larvae/ 3 leaves), leaf
damage during 41st SW 2018 (96.56%) and fruit damage during 16th SW 2019
(95.00%). Larval population, foliage and fruit damage had significant positive
correlation with maximum temperature and average temperature while morning and
noon humidity exhibited significant negative relation. Screening for two seasons
considering biophysical and biochemical traits, RHRECD-1, RHRECD-4, P-54 and P-
55 were moderately resistant against T. absoluta. Tuta lure trap @ 40 per ha and delta
sticky trap @ 40 per ha were found significantly superior throughout the period of
study in catching adult moths and their efficacy in reducing larval population, foliage
and fruit damage. Among the new molecules, cyantraniliprole (10.26 OD @ 1.2 ml/l)
and chlorantraniliprole (18.5 SC @ 0.2 ml /l) were significantly superior throughout the
period of investigation in reducing larval population, foliage and fruit damage,
recording significantly higher yield levels (108.00 and 106.33 t/ha, respectively) and
also highest B:C ratio (6.36 and 7.97, respectively). The module 2, Chemi-intensive
(Seedling dip with imidacloprid 0.3 ml/l at the time of planting, - Emamectin benzoate 5
WG @ 0.25g/l at 15 DAT, - Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.20 ml/l at 30 and 45 DAT
and - Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD @ 1.20 ml/l at 60 DAT based on the ETL level) was
the most effective which had only insecticides as components but module 4 and 3
having the combination of components like chemicals, trap crop, pheromone trap, and
application of neem cake, and bio agents were equally effective in managing
T. absoluta recording minimum larval population, least foliage and fruit damage along
with higher benefit ratio.