Detecting population fluctuation of Tuta absoluta on some Solanum spp. in relation to different environmental conditions and it's economic evaluation in Kafr El Sheikh governorate, Egypt [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

In the present study the population fluctuation and host
preference of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), a
dangerous pest attacking Solanaceae in Egypt causing great
losses, was investigated using pheromone traps. The study was
conducted in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate. The incidence of the pest
was studied in two important vegetable crops, i.e. tomatoes and
eggplants. Pheromone traps were used to capture males of T.
absoluta in two different locations per crop. Number of moths was
recorded through a period of 4 months starting from October 2016
till January 2017. Degree Days Unit was estimated during the
period of the research, in addition, temperature, relative humidity
and wind velocity effects on the pest population fluctuation was
investigated. Moreover, the effect of the pest on the economic
indicators of tomato crop was also studied. T. absoluta registered 4
peaks in both crops, prefers tomato as primary host plant and is
active within the range of 10-20 C. Relative humidity did not affect
the pest population either in tomato or in eggplant within the
period and location of the experiment whereas wind velocity
showed a direct effect. Males' captures increased when wind
velocity ranged between 40-58 Km/hr. Results indicated that the
loss in production of tomatoes in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate
reached 17.2 thousand tons, while on the country level it reached
about 571.8 thousand tons, which equivalent to 26.7 and 880.6
thousand pounds on both levels, i.e. Kafr El Sheikh and country,
respectively. The economic evaluation analysis indicated that on
the 4th and 5th weeks of tomato transplanting; control measures
intensity should be condensed to decrease the rate of pest
infestation in tomato fields.

Summary in Arabic