Pests Management in Tomato Crop using UAL Organic Based Products

Tomatoes are tasty and healthy But they have many enemies like borers, whiteflies, thrips and aphids Who munch on their leaves, stems, flowers and seeds. To protect them from these bugs Some farmers spray a lot of pesticides but this can harm the land, the environment and the people. A better alternative is to use organic inputs that can reduce the pest population without causing damage to the tomatoes or the ecosystem.

List of Pests

1. Fruit borer
2. Whitefly
3. Thrips
4. Aphids

1. Fruit Borer

Scientific name: Helicoverpa armigera

Most Affected Plant Part: Fruit

Symptoms of Fruit Borer Damage:

• Young larvae initially attack on leaves, later they switch over to fruits. Inside tissues are entirely and brutally eaten by the ferocious larvae. 
• The caterpillar thrust its head inside while it was munching, leaving the rest of its body outside. At the entry site, we can observe  round holes on fruits. 
• Larvae also feed buds, shoots, and leaves. 
• Helicoverpa is a polyphagous pest which initially feeds and survives on green gram, summer vegetables and maize, later in the month of August – September, the infestation starts with the primary crop i.e. tomato.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

2.Thrips

Scientific Name: Thrips tabaci, Frankiniella rankliniella

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaves, Flowers and buds 

Symptoms of Thrips Damage: 

• Thrips are the sap suckers/feeder. 
• They suck sap from leaves. Due to this we can see silvery streaks on the leaf surface. 
• Major targets of the thrips are flowers. Infected flowers drop prematurely and buds are necroted.
• This is a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

3)Whiteflies

Scientific Name:  Bemisia tabaci

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaves 

Symptoms of whiteflies damage: 

• The affected leaves turn to yellow and we can observe chlorotic spots on it. 
• We can notice a tiny nymph present on lower surface of leaves 
• Whiteflies are also a sap suckers, due to this the leaves start curling downward and dries.
• Bemisia tabaci is a vector for tomato leaf curl disease.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

4) Aphids

Scientific Name:  Myzus persicae

Most Affected Plant Part: Leaves 

Symptoms of  Aphid damage: 

• Both adult and juvenile aphids feed on the sap and succulent sections of younger plants. 
• Twisted or curled leaves and swelling branches are indicative of the damaged plants. 
• If neglected, they could potentially result in an unchecked infestation that stunts the plant’s growth. 
• Brown or yellow hues may appear on the affected leaves. 
• They release a sticky fluid known as “honeydew,” which draws ants and encourages the formation of sooty mold that indirectly hampers the photosynthesis of plants.

Control Measures (Biological)

Prophylactic

Curative

Products:

Biopesticides are less toxic than conventional pesticides because they are pesticides that are derived from natural sources, such as microorganisms, plants, oils, and minerals. They are safer, more specific, and more biodegradable than synthetic pesticides. They generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, in contrast to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may affect organisms as well as birds, insects and mammals. Along with it  a spreader and a micronutrient helps to proper spreading of spray solution on the sprayed body and improves plant growth and  metabolism  respectively.

1. Xymo Ultra Spectrum
2. Xymo Bugtrol
3. Xymo  Max Spread

1. Xymo Ultra Spectrum: This is available in liquid formation,  which is a combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• Plant extracts present in it increase plant SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance). This bio pesticide is recommended for all crops against worms. 
• It mainly targets the larval stage of insects. Paralyze the nervous system of insects and hampers movement/flying and feeding. 
• Xymo Ultra Spectrum and Zymo Max Spread have to spray as a prophylactic control measure for the management of fruit borer.
• After the incidence of pest take sprays of Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Bugtrol + Zymo Max Spread, repeat the same at an interval of 5-7 days when the infestation is severe  as a curative measurement for the control of all sucking pest of tomato.

2. Xymo Bugtrol: This is available in liquid formation. Product is a unique combination of Botanical extracts / Plant oils, Stabilizers & Excipients. 

• Major benefits of Xymo Bugtrol is that it is very effective on all types of insects and it works as a broad-spectrum pesticide.  
• This bio pesticide is recommended for all crops and mainly  targets beetles and sucking insects.
• Mode of Action is Paralyse the nervous system and hampers movement/flying and feeding. 
• Xymo Bugtrol with a spreader Xymo max spread can control Thrips, Whiteflies and Aphids on tomato before the incidence of pests.
• For the control of fruit borer take two sprays of Xymo Bugtrol + Xymo Ultra Spectrum + Xymo Max Spread when insect infestation starts, repeat the same at an interval of 5-7 days when the infestation is severe  as curative measerment.

3. Xymo  Max Spread : This is available in liquid form, which is helpful for uniform spreading of biopesticide on sprayed areas. This can be used for all crops. It breaks down the surface tension of water and increases the wetting and spreading of a spray solution.

• Xymo Max Spread can also be used in combination with other products from UAL, it is a super spreader used in agriculture to increase the efficiency of all spray solutions and for soil applications. 
• It is non-ionic in nature and organic. It is an Indian NPOP approved input and therefore can be used in organic agriculture too.
• The dosage of Xymo  Max Spread depends on the mode of application. For tank mix solution, it is recommended to use 0.10 ml / L of water (i.e. 10 ml / 100 L). For drip irrigation, it is suggested to use 25 ml / 200 L of water / acre.

Certification : UAL manufactures and markets organic bio-solutions under the brand names ZYMO® and XYMO® series, which are certified by various international and national standards for organic agriculture, such as OMRI, EU, JAS, NOP, and NPOP. These certifications ensure that UAL products are safe, natural, and eco-friendly, and meet the stringent requirements of organic farming.