Tomato plants require dedicated care and attention to thrive. However, even with our best efforts, pests can still pose a threat to your crops. This article explores various pests that can impact your tomato plants while they are flowering and provides practical approaches to effectively safeguard your tomato crops against these pests.
Common pests that could affect your tomato crops during flowering stage:
Thrips
Causal Organism: Thrips tabaci
Symptoms
- These tiny insects feed on the leaves and fruits of your tomato plants.
- They can also spread Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TOSPO), causing additional harm to your plants.
Control Measures
- Spray Delegate Insecticide (Spinetoram 11.7% SC) at the rate of 1 ml per liter of water. (Or)
- Use Admire Insecticide (Imidacloprid 70% WG) at the rate 0.4 to 0.6 ml per liter of water. (Or)
- You can also use Gracia Insecticide (Fluxametamide 10% EC) at the rate of 0.5 to 0.8 ml per liter of water.
Aphids
Causal Organisms: Myzus persicae, Aphids gossypii
Symptoms
- These pesky pests suck the sap from the tender leaves of tomato plants.
- As a result of sucking, they cause deformed and stunted foliage.
Control Measures
Red Spider Mites
Causal Organism: Tetranychus spp.
Symptoms
- These mites suck the sap from the leaves, leading to reddish-brown and bronze-toned patches on the lower leaf surface.
- Severe infestations can lead to the appearance of silken webbing on leaves, flowers and fruits, resulting in withered and dried foliage.
Control Measures
Whitefly
Causal Organism: Bemisia tabaci
Symptoms
- Whiteflies can cause significant damage to tomato plants, resulting in distorted and malformed leaves.
- Leaves may curl downward, dry up and plants may become stunted and bushy with shorter internodes.
Control Measures
- Spray Pegasus Insecticide (Diafenthiuron 50% WP) at the rate of 0.5 to 0.75 gm per liter of water. (Or)
- Use Lancergold Insecticide (Acephate 50% + Imidachloprid 1.8% SP) at the rate of 1.5 to 2 gm per liter of water. (Or)
- Use Confidor Insecticide (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) at the rate of 1 ml per liter of water.
Mealybugs
Causal Organism: Ferrisia virgata
Symptoms
- Mealybugs are small insects, that form white, cottony clusters on tomato plant twigs and leaves.
- They secrete a honeydew substance, which attracts other pests like ants and can lead to the growth of sooty mould on the plant.
- They also feed on the sap of the tomato plant, further weakening them.
Control Measures
Pinworms
Causal Organism: Tuta absoluta
Symptoms
- Pinworms infest the terminal buds, leaves and stems of the tomato plants by mining the surface tissues and flowers.
- They lay eggs on the underside of the leaves.
- Damage caused by them includes mining between the upper and lower leaf surfaces, causing clear patches filled with frass.
- They also damage stems by boring into them.
Control Measures
- Spray Belt Expert Insecticide (Flubendiamide 19.92% + Thiacloprid 19.92% SC) at the rate of 0.3 to 0.5 ml per liter of water. (Or)
- Spray Vayego Insecticide (Tetraniliprole 200 g/L SC) at the rate of 0.5 ml per liter of water. (Or)
- Spray Exponus Insecticide (Broflanilide 300 G/L SC) at the rate of 25 ml per acre.
Serpentine Leaf Miners
Causal Organism: Liriomyza trifolii
Symptoms
- Serpentine leaf miners attack tomato leaves, creating a twisted mess of maggot-like mines.
- It may also cause leaves to curl, dry out and eventually fall off.
Control Measures
- Spray Sanvex sp Insecticide (Cartap Hydrochloride 50% SP) at the rate of 1.5 to 2 gm per liter of water. (Or)
- Spray Ampligo Insecticide (Chlorantraniliprole 10 %+ Lambdacyhalothrin 5% ZC) at the rate of 0.5 to 0.6 ml per liter of water. (Or)
- Spray Voliam Targo (Chlorantraniliprole 4.3% + Abamectin 1.7% w/w sc) at the rate of 1 ml per liter of water.
Root Knot Nematodes
Causal Organism: Meloidogyne incognita
Symptoms
- Root knot nematodes infiltrate plant roots and cause root-knot galls, stunted root growth, and nutrient depletion, eventually leading to the death of the plant.
Control Measures
- Use Velum Prime Nematicide (Flupyrum 34.48%SC) at the rate of 250 to 500 ml per acre during 55 to 60 days after planting. (Or)
- Alternatively, enriching FarmYardManure with bio-pesticides can be beneficial.
- Dosage of Biopesticides:
Mix either of the above mentioned biopesticides with FYM and leave it in shade for 15 days at 25-30% moisture for the multiplication of beneficial microbes. Apply this mixture before transplanting tomato seedlings.
Note: Taking proactive measures to control pests at the flowering stage is crucial for the successful growth of your tomato plants. Regularly monitor your plants for signs of pest damage and promptly intervene with the recommended insecticides. Remember to follow the instructions on the product labels and take appropriate safety precautions when using any insecticides.
Conclusion
Effective pest control during flowering stage is crucial for successful tomato cultivation. By implementing these expert-recommended strategies and carefully following dosage instructions, you can safeguard your tomato plants and ensure healthy growth.