Population dynamics of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Gennadius) on tomato (Solanum esculentum, Mill.) crop under protected conditions in Kashmir

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the seasonal population buildup of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Gennadius) on tomato (Solanum esculentum Mill.), during 2017 and 2018, under protected conditions and its correlation with temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum) inside polyhouse was observed. It was revealed that the infestation first started with the appearance of adults in the 2nd fortnight of June and reached maximum during 1st to 2nd fortnight of August (nymphs) and 1st fortnight of September (adults) during the two year study. A positive significant correlation between whitefly population (nymph and adult) and weather parameters viz. temperature (maximum and minimum) was observed. The relative humidity (maximum) exhibited positive nonsignificant whereas relative humidity (minimum) showed a negative nonsignificant correlation with population.