Bio efficacy of different insecticides against sucking insect pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a crucial vegetable crop widely cultivated in India, particularly in the Vindhyan Plateau of Madhya Pradesh. However, its productivity is severely affected by sucking insect pests such as whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), jassids (Amrasca devastans), and aphids (Aphis gossypii), which not only reduce yield but also transmit viral diseases. This study evaluates the bioefficacy of various insecticides against these pests in the Raisen district during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. A field experiment was conducted at the agriculture research farm of RNTU, Raisen, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 11 treatments replicated thrice. Insect population data were recorded before and after insecticide applications at 15-day intervals. The results indicate that Diafenthiuron and Spiromesifen were the most effective insecticides for controlling whiteflies, with Diafenthiuron showing the lowest mean population. Jassid populations were best managed using Thiamethoxam and Cyantraniliprole, while Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid provided the most effective aphid control. The study highlights the significance of selecting appropriate insecticides for integrated pest management (IPM) to minimize pest populations while ensuring sustainable tomato production. The findings recommend Diafenthiuron, Spiromesifen, Thiamethoxam, and Cyantraniliprole as key insecticides for pest control in tomato cultivation in the Vindhyan Plateau.