MANAGEMENT OF TRIALEURODES VAPORARIORUM (WESTWOOD) IN TOMATO CROPS

The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a pest with a wide range of host plants, rapid development, high reproductive capacity and multiple overlapping generations.These biological characteristics are enhanced through the insect's ability to secrete a waxy substance that makes the control of this species very challenging.The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and biological products in reducing the population of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in tomato crops.The influence of deltametrin, flupyradifuron, Isoclast TM active, potassium salt of fatty acides treatments and spirotetramat was assessed under protected environment(greenhouse).The study protocol included six randomized variants in three replications.The aggressiveness of the target species on tomato plants was evaluated following EPPO guidelines 1/36(3).The efficacy of the products against hemipteran population was assessed at 3 days after treatment (DAT), 7 DAT and 14 DAT.The results recorded during the study showed that the aggressiveness and population levels exerted by adult and nymph stages were highest in untreated control variant.Satisfactory results were recorded in the plots treated with delthamethrin.The biological product Isoclast TM active expressed a lower efficacy against Trialeurodes vaporariorum population compared with other treatments.The systemic insecticides like Sivanto Prime and Movento 100 SC showed the highest efficacy in controlling the population at 7 DAT.Contact and ingestion insecticides control was satisfactory controlling the population within the first 72 hours.