Field evaluation of three biopesticides for integrated management of major pests of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. in Sudan

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at two different locations in Khartoum State, Sudan during the cropping season 2007/2008 to evaluate the efficacy of three biopesticides on the major insects of tomato, (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Treatments applied were NeemAzal ® -T/S (2L/ha), XenTari ® (1kg/ha), Spinosad ® (2L/ha). Sumicidin ® 20% EC was applied at a rate of 0.7L/ha for comparison. Major insect pests studied were whitefly, Bemisia tabaci; aphids, Aphis gossypii and African bollworm (ABW), Helicoverpa armigera. All treatments significantly reduced the populations of the test insect pests. NeemAzal proved to be nearly as effective as Sumicidin. Higher numbers of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) were found in biopesticidestreated and control plots compared with fewer numbers in Sumicidintreated plots. The per cent increase in yield was 32%, 31.2%, 25.3% and 20% in plots treated with NeemAzal, Sumicidin, Xen Tari and Spionsad respectively.