Integration of biorationals into management of pepper and tomato pests

Abstract

Excessive use of harzardous insecticides on vegetables has raise issues about health and environmental implications. Alternative to these insecticides, four biorational insecticides comprising Ozone neem (Neem oil), Bypel (Bacillus thuringiensis + Perisrapae granulosis virus), Abalon 18EC (Abamectin) and Eradicoat (Maltodextrin) were applied on three varieties each of pepper (PV01, CRI Makontose and CRI ShitoAdope) and tomato (Rosso VFN, Raissa F1 and UC 82 B). Targeted pests were whitefly, thrips, aphids, fruit borers (including the tomato leaf miner Tutaabsoluta). Whitefly Bemisia tabaci were the predominant pests recorded on both pepper and tomato. All insecticide treated plots recorded significantly lower numbers of whiteflies. While whitefly incidence dropped with time, that of control plots increased over the same period. Abalon 18EC, Bypel, and Eradicoat, however offered better protection compared to Ozone neem. The second most important pest recorded, in terms of incidence on pepper and tomato, was thrips although their numbers were very low. It is concluded here that Ozone neem Abalon 18EC, Bypel, and Eradicoat are effective biorationals for the management of whiteflies in pepper and tomato.