1Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
2Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute (TNAU) Eachangkottai, Thanjavur, 614902, Tamil Nadu, India
*Email for correspondence: shinthiya.shanu@gmail.com
Online published on 19 July, 2019.
The survey was conducted on management practices adopted by the tomato growers against Tuta absoluta in tomato ecosystem and its influence on natural enemies during the year 2016–17. Forty main farmers each in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Coimbatore districts were interviewed to know the pest status, organic practices followed, effective natural enemies and pesticide usage pattern in tomato crop. The results indicated that organically cultivated tomatoes were less infected by T absoluta compared to pesticide-treated tomatoes and the natural enemies were also more in organic fields. Among natural enemies the mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tennius was reported as an effective predator of T absoluta.
Survey, farmers, Tuta absoluta, natural enemies, tomato
