Tag: Tomato

• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a major solanaceous vegetable crop.
• Native to the Peruvian-Mexican region; introduced to India by Portuguese travelers.
• Valued for its nutritional content, including vitamins C, A, and B.
• Widely cultivated for fresh consumption and processing industries.

• Scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Family: Solanaceae
• Chromosome number: 2n=24
• Annual, terrestrial plant with compound, alternately arranged leaves.
• Inflorescence is a cyme; flowers are yellow, perfect, and hypogynous.
• Fruit is a fleshy berry with 2–9 locules, usually red, orange, or yellow when ripe.

• Consumed as a vegetable and in processed forms (soup, ketchup, sauce, paste, juice).
• Rich in minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron.
• Medicinal uses: promotes gastric secretion, acts as blood purifier, intestinal antiseptic.
• Tomato seed oil is used in salad dressings and margarine production.

• IARI, New Delhi: Pusa Early Dwarf, Pusa Ruby, Pusa Red Plum
• IIHR, Bangalore: Arka Saurabh, Arka Vikas, Arka Alok, Arka Vishal
• PAU, Ludhiana: Punjab Tropic, S-12, Punjab NR-7
• Private sector: Mangala, Sheetal, Vaishali, Rupali, Rashmi, Naveen

• Inflorescence: Cymes, flowers borne in clusters.
• Anthesis: Begins at 6 a.m., peaks 7–8 a.m.; anther dehiscence peaks 9–11 a.m.
• Stigma receptive 16 hours before anthesis, remains receptive 2–3 days after.
• Optimum pollination temperature: ~21°C; pollen viability: 7–10 days at 20°C, 70% RH.

• Warm-season crop; optimal temperature: 20–28°C.
• Cannot tolerate frost; temperatures below 15°C or above 39°C affect fruit set.
• Prefers well-drained, fertile, organic-rich soils with pH 6–7.
• Moderately tolerant to acidic soils (pH as low as 5.5); lime recommended for low pH.

• Propagated by seeds; nursery beds should be porous and fertile.
• Seeds sown in lines 5 cm apart, covered with sand, and watered gently.
• Dry grass cover for 3–5 days promotes early germination.
• Seedlings ready for transplanting at 25–30 days, 10–15 cm tall.

• Seed rate: 500–800 g/ha; ~300 seeds per gram.
• Seed treatment with IAA in talc powder enhances germination and vigor.
• Seeds may be treated with fungicides (e.g., captan or thiram) before sowing.

• Tomato is a heavy feeder of N, P, and K.
• Irrigated: 250:250:250 kg NPK/ha; Rainfed: 60:50:30 kg NPK/ha.
• Apply 35 t/ha FYM before planting.
• Micronutrients (Ca, B, Zn) applied via foliar sprays.

• Organic manures incorporated before final ploughing.
• N applied in 2–3 splits: after transplanting, at flowering, and at fruiting.
• Full P and K applied at planting, mixed into soil near rows.

• Seedlings transplanted at 3–4 weeks, 10–15 cm tall.
• Spacing: 60 × 30 cm; ridges preferred in heavy soils.
• Transplant in the evening; irrigate immediately after planting.

• First irrigation after transplanting, second on day 3, then at 7-day intervals.
• Weekly irrigation in hot season; irrigate during frost risk in winter.
• First weeding at 25 days, earthing up at 45 days after planting.
• Pre-plant herbicide application can aid weed control.

• Fruit borer, jassids, tobacco caterpillar, whitefly, root-knot nematodes.
• Control: Hand picking, crop rotation, insecticides, resistant varieties.

Major Diseases:

• Damping off, buckeye rot, Fusarium wilt, early blight, late blight, bacterial canker, leaf curl virus.

Physiological Disorders:

• Blossom end rot, cat face, fruit cracking.

• Plants supported with stakes to prevent lodging and fruit-soil contact.
• Roguing removes off-types and diseased plants at pre-flowering, flowering, and fruiting stages.
• Ensures genetic purity and seed quality.

• Fruits harvested at pink to red ripe stage for seed extraction.
• Hybrid seed yield: 40–50 kg/ha under optimal conditions.

• Crushed ripe fruits fermented until pulp separates from seeds.
• Seeds washed and sun-dried.

Alkali Treatment:

• Pulp treated with alkali, left overnight; seeds settle and are washed.

Acid Treatment:

• Pulp mixed with 5–6 ml/kg HCl, stirred, washed after 30 min, seeds dried.

• Seeds washed thoroughly to remove pulp and mucilage.
• Dried rapidly to 8% moisture on trays or cloth in sun.
• Graded using sieves (0.6–0.8 mm); larger seeds preferred for quality.

• Seeds treated with captan or thiram (2 g/kg seed) before storage.
• Packed in moisture-proof containers at 8–10% moisture content.
• Viability maintained for 25–30 months under proper storage.

• Requires separate male and female parent lines (ratio 1:5).
• Emasculation of female flowers at late bud stage; anthers removed.
• Pollen from male parent applied to stigma of emasculated flowers.
• Bagging prevents unwanted cross-pollination; tagged for identification.

Seed Standards:

• Tomato is affected by several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
• Effective management requires correct identification and integrated approaches.

• Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Complete life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Bores circular holes, feeds inside fruit, causing rot by secondary infection.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.
• Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis (egg parasitoids).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (predator).
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or Helicoverpa NPV.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Remove and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.
• Causes leaf necrosis, fruit damage, and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Apply biological agents (Trichogramma, Bacillus thuringiensis).
• Use recommended insecticides judiciously.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran or recommended insecticides (dimethoate, malathion, thiamethoxam).

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray recommended insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe infestation affects flowering and fruiting.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur (50 WP, 2g/lit).
• Spray dicofol (18.5 EC, 2.5 ml/lit).

• Correct pest identification is essential for effective management.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable control.
• Monitor pest populations using traps and field scouting.
• Use resistant varieties and maintain field hygiene.
• Apply insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

• Tomato is affected by several major insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
• Effective management requires knowledge of pest biology and damage symptoms.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods.

• Caterpillars: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Complete life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Bores circular holes, feeds on fruit contents.
• Damaged fruits often invaded by secondary pathogens.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis (egg parasitoids).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea (predator) at 30 days after planting.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or Helicoverpa NPV.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).
• Grow resistant varieties: Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume.

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine tunnels.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.
• Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3G or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and shoots.
• Plants turn yellow, become deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring and control.
• Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, slender, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, premature flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe infestation affects flowering and fruiting.

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2 g/litre).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/litre) if needed.
• Maintain field sanitation and avoid dust accumulation.

• Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
• Adopt resistant varieties and crop rotation.
• Promote natural enemies and use biopesticides.
• Apply chemical pesticides judiciously, following recommended doses and intervals.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable pest management.

• Tomato is susceptible to several major insect pests causing significant yield losses.
• Pests affect all growth stages, from seedlings to fruiting plants.
• Effective management requires understanding pest biology and integrated control methods.

• Major pest of tomato, also attacks tur and gram.

Identification:

• Caterpillars: Variable color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings smoky white with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae bore circular holes in fruits, feed on inner contents.
• Secondary infection by fungi and bacteria.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

Management:

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract pests.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Install pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Grow resistant varieties (Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit).
• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea as biocontrol agents.
• Spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha for biological control.
• Chemical options: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per recommended doses).

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Pupa: Yellowish brown, found in soil or leaves.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; total cycle ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Small greyish moth; larvae are cream to greenish with dark head.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits, causing blotches and fruit damage.
• Can cause up to 80–100% yield loss if unmanaged.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Release natural enemies (Trichogramma spp., Nesidiocoris tenuis).
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or selective insecticides as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides (Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam).

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and stems.
• Plants turn yellow, become deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, premature flower drop, bud necrosis.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown and bronzy.
• Webbing on leaves; severe cases cause leaf drying and reduced fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/lit).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/lit) if needed.

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor fields regularly for early pest detection.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Minimize pesticide use to delay resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

• Tomato is affected by several major insect pests worldwide.
• Pests cause direct damage and act as vectors for viral diseases.
• Effective management is crucial for yield and quality.

• Major pest of tomato and other crops (e.g., pigeon pea, chickpea).

• Caterpillar: Varies in color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage: 18–25 days.
• Pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Creates circular holes in fruits, feeds on inner contents.
• Damaged fruits often infected by secondary pathogens.
• One larva can destroy 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop tomato with marigold (1:16 rows).

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit).
• Use Helicoverpa NPV (HaNPV) @ 250 LE/ha.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) @ 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos.

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.
• Causes leaf necrosis, fruit damage, and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps, biological control agents, and selective insecticides.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing and deformation.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton 25 EC or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 L/ha.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; reduced flower and fruit formation.

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP @ 2g/lit.
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/lit.

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly.
• Use resistant varieties and crop rotation.
• Minimize pesticide use to prevent resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

• Tomato is susceptible to several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests affect all growth stages: seedling, vegetative, flowering, and fruiting.
• Effective management requires correct identification and integrated approaches.

• Caterpillars: Varying colors, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Stout, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings smoky white.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage: 18–25 days, pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Circular holes in fruits; internal feeding causes rotting.
• One larva can damage multiple fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.
• Deep ploughing after harvest exposes pupae to predators.
• Install pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Use resistant varieties: Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit).

• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis for egg parasitism.
• Spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha for larval control.
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae for biological control.

Chemical Control:

• Azadirachtin 1% EC: 2 ml/lit
• Indoxacarb 14.5% SC: 8 ml/10 lit
• Flubendiamide 20 WG: 5 g/10 lit
• Novaluron 10% EC: 7.5 ml/10 lit
• Phosalone 35% EC: 13 ml/10 lit
• Quinalphos 25% EC: 1 ml/lit

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Pupa: Yellowish-brown, found in soil or leaves.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; total cycle ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Maggots mine between leaf epidermal layers.
• Serpentine mines visible; severe cases cause leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Small greyish-brown moth; larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaf mining, fruit boring, and stem tunneling.
• Leads to leaf necrosis, fruit rot, and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or recommended insecticides.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Install yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides.

Chemical Control:

• Dimethoate 30% EC: 1 ml/lit
• Malathion 50% EC: 1.5 ml/lit
• Oxydemeton-methyl 25% EC: 1 ml/lit
• Thiamethoxam 25% WG: 4 ml/10 lit

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and stems.
• Infested plants become yellow, deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, flower drop, bud necrosis.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Install yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton 25 EC or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 lit/ha.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe cases affect flowering and fruiting.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/lit).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/lit).

• Accurate pest identification is crucial for effective management.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable control.
• Monitor pest populations using traps and field scouting.
• Use resistant varieties and timely interventions to minimize losses.

• Tomato is affected by several insect pests causing significant yield losses.
• Pests damage leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, reducing quality and market value.
• Effective management requires knowledge of pest identification, biology, and control methods.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) is recommended for sustainable control.

• Major pest of tomato; also attacks tur, gram, and other crops.
• Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.

Identification:

• Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Stout, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings smoky white with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae bore circular holes in fruits, feed on inner contents.
• Secondary infection by fungi and bacteria common.
• One larva can damage multiple fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Intercrop tomato with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract and trap adults.
• Plough fields post-harvest to expose and destroy pupae.
• Install pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis 2g/litre.
• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis for egg parasitism.
• Spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha for biological control.
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae for predator control.

Chemical Control:

• Azadirachtin 1% EC: 2 ml/litre
• Indoxacarb 14.5% SC: 8 ml/10 litres
• Flubendiamide 20 WG: 5 g/10 litres
• Novaluron 10% EC: 7.5 ml/10 litres
• Phosalone 35% EC: 13 ml/10 litres
• Quinalphos 25% EC: 1 ml/litre

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, legless maggots.
• Pupa: Yellowish-brown, found in soil or leaves.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Maggots mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Small grey-brown moth; larvae are cream to greenish with dark head.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits, causing blotches and galleries.
• Fruit damage leads to secondary infections and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Apply biologicals (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis).
• Use selective insecticides as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like insects.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides.

Chemical Control:

• Dimethoate 30% EC: 1 ml/litre
• Malathion 50% EC: 1.5 ml/litre
• Oxydemeton-methyl 25% EC: 1 ml/litre
• Thiamethoxam 25% WG: 4 ml/10 litres

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and stems.
• Plants turn yellow, become deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion promotes sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, premature flower drop, bud necrosis.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton 25 EC or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 litre/ha.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves become reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe infestations reduce flower and fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP @ 2 g/litre.
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/litre.

• Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
• Adopt cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical control methods in combination.
• Use resistant varieties and maintain field hygiene.
• Apply pesticides judiciously to avoid resistance and residue problems.
• Promote natural enemies and minimize ecological disruption.

• Tomato is susceptible to several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Major pests include fruit borer, leaf miner, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and red spider mite.
• Effective management requires correct identification and understanding of pest biology.

• Family: Noctuidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Economic Importance:

• Serious pest in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Damages tomato, tur, gram, and other crops.

Identification:

• Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage lasts 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Circular holes in fruits; internal feeding leads to secondary infections.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract adults.

Biological:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit) or HaNPV (250 LE/ha).

Chemical:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos.

• Family: Agromyzidae; Order: Diptera

Identification:

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, causing serpentine trails.
• Severe cases cause leaf drying and drop.

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.
• Practice crop rotation and avoid overuse of insecticides to conserve natural enemies.

• Family: Gelechiidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Identification:

• Small, greyish-brown moth; larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.

Damage:

• Leaf mines, galleries in stems, and fruit damage.
• Can cause severe yield loss if unmanaged.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring.
• Release natural enemies (Trichogramma spp.).
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or selective insecticides as needed.

• Family: Aleyrodidae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Family: Aphididae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Small, soft-bodied insects, green or black.

Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Encourage natural predators (ladybird beetles, lacewings).

• Family: Thripidae; Order: Thysanoptera

Identification:

• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as needed.

• Family: Tetranychidae; Order: Acarina

Identification:

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Small, red.

Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; reduced flower and fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/lit) or dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/lit).

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Apply insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and conserve beneficial insects.

• Tomato is affected by several major insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
• Effective management requires understanding pest biology and damage symptoms.

• Family: Noctuidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Economic Importance:

• Serious pest in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Also attacks other crops like pigeon pea and chickpea.

Identification:

• Caterpillar: Variable color, radiating hairs, greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light brown, forewings with dark spot, smoky hindwings.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage lasts 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Complete life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Bore circular holes, feed inside fruits, causing secondary infections.
• One larva can damage multiple fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 ratio) to attract egg-laying adults.

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or HaNPV.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Apply insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos as per recommended doses.

• Family: Agromyzidae; Order: Diptera

Identification:

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation leads to leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Remove and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Family: Gelechiidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits, causing blotches and galleries.
• Leads to fruit damage and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Release natural enemies (Trichogramma spp.).
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or selective insecticides as needed.

• Family: Aleyrodidae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Egg: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymph: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adult: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Remove and destroy infected plants and weeds.
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Family: Aphididae; Order: Hemiptera

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing and deformation.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould growth, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Family: Thripidae; Order: Thysanoptera

Identification:

• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae.
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Family: Tetranychidae; Order: Acarina

Identification:

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; affects flower and fruit formation.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur (50 WP, 2g/lit) or dicofol (18.5 EC, 2.5 ml/lit).

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor fields regularly for early pest detection.
• Use resistant varieties and crop rotation.
• Promote natural enemies and minimize pesticide use.

• Tomato is susceptible to several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Major pests include fruit borer, leaf miner, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and red spider mite.
• Effective management requires understanding pest biology and damage symptoms.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods.

• Family: Noctuidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Identification:

• Caterpillars: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: ~30–40 days.

• Young larvae feed on foliage; mature larvae bore into fruits.
• Circular holes on fruits; larvae feed inside, causing internal damage.
• Damaged fruits often infected by secondary pathogens.
• One larva may damage multiple fruits (2–8).

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest exposes pupae to predators.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 ratio with tomato).

Biological:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/litre) or HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha.

Chemical:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) @ 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).

• Family: Agromyzidae; Order: Diptera

Identification:

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggot.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Family: Aleyrodidae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

• Uproot and destroy virus-infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha.
• Spray insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam (as per label rates).

• Family: Aphididae; Order: Hemiptera

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing and deformation.
• Honeydew secretion promotes sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Family: Thripidae; Order: Thysanoptera

Identification:

• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Remove and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate (as per label rates).

• Family: Tetranychidae; Order: Acarina

Identification:

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed; webbing present.
• Severe infestation leads to leaf drying and reduced fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/litre).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/litre).

• Combine cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly for timely intervention.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Minimize pesticide use to prevent resistance and protect beneficial organisms.