Seasonal dynamics of pests and natural enemies in the tomato ecosystem

AbstractThe fruit borer population was first observed during the 43rd Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) with an initial mean population of 0.12 larvae per plant, peaking at 3.95 larvae per plant in the 52nd SMW. Whitefly, aphid, and jassid appeared during the 42nd SMW with initial populations of 1.54, 2.30, and 2.10 individuals per three leaves, respectively, and reached their peak populations of 2.82, 7.26, and 9.80 individuals during the 50th and 49th SMW, respectively. Natural enemies such as Coccinellids appeared in the 42nd SMW, with a peak population of 2.80 individuals per plant in the 49th SMW. Correlation analysis revealed diverse relationships between pest populations and weather parameters. The fruit borer population showed significant positive correlations with morning relative humidity (r = 0.647**), while maximum (r = -0.525*) and minimum temperatures (r = -0.511*) displayed significant negative correlations. Whitefly was positively correlated with maximum (r = 0.630*) and minimum (r = 0.551*) temperatures and negative significant correlation with evening humidity (r = -764**), while aphids exhibited significant negative correlations with maximum (r = -0.515*) and minimum temperatures (r= -0.564*) and Coccinellids had positive significant correlation (r = 0.773*) with aphid population. Jassids displayed a positive but non-significant correlation with weather parameters.