Occurrence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) on tomato varieties cultivated under protected structures in Lesotho

Abstract

Tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is the most devastating pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A study which determined severity of T. absoluta on tomato varieties, population dynamics and correlation between T. absoluta and weather parameters under high tunnel and shade net was conducted in Lesotho. Data was subjected to SPSS and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results under high tunnel showed that the population of T. absoluta on pheromone lures was highest with 29 adults. Tomato leaves had mild damage from T. absoluta. There was a positive non-significant correlation between weather parameters and T. absoluta with R2 of 0.649. Under shade net; there was a moderate damage by T. absoluta, and the highest population on pheromone traps was 285 adults. T. absoluta and temperatures had a negative non-significant correlation while correlation between relative humidity had positive and significant relationship with R2 of 82%.