Economic impact of pests on tomato production in southern and central Benin: The cases of Helicoverpa armigera, Tuta absoluta, Tetranychus evansi, and root-knot nematodes

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), the most cultivated and consumed fruit vegetable in Benin, is subjected to parasitic attacks reducing its productivity. This study assesses the economic impacts of Helicoverpa armigera, Tuta absoluta, Tetranychus evansi and root-knot nematodes. One hundred and forty-four (144) focus group sessions, supported by individual interviews with 60 farmers were conducted from August 24 to 29, 2020, and from September 7 to 12, 2020 in eighteen (18) Districts in southern and central Benin. The results indicated that growers recognize different pests affecting tomato farming, especially by symptoms on it fruit, leaves, stem and root system. Helicoverpa armigera has the highest gross output reduction rate for both severe (78.3%) and moderate (38%) attacks. This reduction corresponds to losses of 104.62 kg and 50.75 kg on a harvest of 133.62 kg per plank of 1.2m x 13m (i.e. 15.6 m²), equivalent to average economic impacts of 37,052.92 F CFA and 17,973.96 F CFA respectively for severe and moderate attacks. Helicoverpa armigera is the main pest of tomato against which the development of control technologies appears more relevant.