Susceptibility Assessment of Two Tomato Hybrids Against Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Abdel-Razek, A.S., N.M. Abd El-Ghany, M.A. Gesraha, T.A. Elewa and A. Moussa. 2021. Susceptibility Assessment of Two Tomato Hybrids Against Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouse Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 317-322. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-39.4.317322 Tuta absoluta is a major insect pest which attack tomato plant varieties in Egypt. Several control attempts were carried out to avoid major crop losses by heavy application of chemical insecticides. The aim of the present study is to assess the susceptibility of infestation of T. absoluta of two tomato varieties (Shifa and Savera F1 hybrids) under greenhouse conditions. The tomato varieties were planted in two plantation periods at the district of Kom Hamada, El-Nubaria province, El-Behira Governorate. The susceptibility tests were done by random counting of leaf samples for the presence of T. absoluta mines and larvae. Both tomato varieties showed almost the same T. absoluta infestation level. Moreover, yield assessment was carried out for the two plantation periods by taking the average fruit weight yield (Kg/acre). The tomato yield results showed that Savera F1 hybrid tomato had higher yield compared to Shifa F1 hybrid variety, but such difference was not significant, However, the yield difference of both vireties between the two planting dates was significant. Keywords: Tomato, Tuta absoluta, susceptibility, leaf-mine, larvae, yield.