Incidence and abundance of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, Gen. and the occurrence of tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (TYLCV) in relation to the climatic conditions of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, west Bengal, India

Incidence of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci population in tomato crop field was assessed. the population was initiated at about 48 standard meteorological weeks (sMw), improved at first slowly up to 1 sMw then steadily up to 5 sMw attaining the maximum at about 6 sMw which was maintained up to about 9 sMw. the population then declined at first slowly then abruptly. Incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (tYLcV) was befitted with B. tabaci incidence. Maximum and minimum value of tYLcV was noted at about 15 and 50 sMw respectively. Abiotic conditions had significant negative influence on B. tabaci population. In case of relative humidity gradient a positive influence was observed. A time-fitted early-season cultivation of tomato crop was economically prudent to minimize white fly menace.