The Role of Salicylic and Ascorbic Acids in Reducing Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouses

Ahmad, M., R. Knag and B. Samra. 2024. The Role of Salicylic and Ascorbic Acids in Reducing Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta Infestation Under Greenhouses. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(1): 49-54. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001210 This research was conducted in a plastic house in Miaar Shaker village (Tartous, Syria) during the growing season 2020-2021 to evaluate the effect of foliar spray with salicylic and ascorbic acids in reducing the infestation of Tuta absoluta in green houses. Salicylic and ascorbic acids concentrations used were 200 and 400ppm. The use of salicylic and ascorbic acids reduced the damage caused by Tuta absoluta infestation by reducing the extent of infested tomato leaflets and fruits as compared with the control. The damaged leaf area was 1.64 and 1.57 cm2 when salicylic acid concentrations of 200 and 400 ppm were used and to 2.27 and 1.95 cm2 when ascorbic acid concentration of 200 and 400 ppm were used, respectively, compared to a damaged area 2.86 cm2 in the control. Such results indicated a positive effect of using salicylic and ascorbic acids in enhancing tomato plant resistance against Tuta absoluta damage in plastic greenhouses. Keywords: Tomato, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, Tuta absoluta.