Bio-rational management of tomato aphid (M. persicae) and two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) on tomato in Kashmir

Present study observed tomato aphid (Myzus persicae), and two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) population associated with tomato from 22nd to 35th standard week. Population density of tomato aphids and two spotted spider mite ranged 0.0 - 62.30 plant^-1 (5 top leaves) and 0.00 - 42.60 plant^-1 (5 top leaves) respectively. Difference in population density when compared for observed standard weeks was found statistically significant for both the pests. As a result of three sprays of commercial neem oil, Lecanicilium lecanii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Hirsutella thompsonii, Spiromesifin and one spray of Thiacloprid, Lecanicilium lecanii applied 24 h after neem oil registered maximum per cent reduction (71.15%) in aphid population over untreated control. Hirsutella thompsonii sprayed after neem oil caused maximum per cent reduction (82.14%) in two spotted spider mite. Both these pests were positively correlated with maximum temperature and sunshine hours whereas negatively correlated with maximum humidity and rainfall. Negative correlation between treatments vs. aphid density (r = -0.19), and treatments vs. mites population (r = -0.79) revealed potential bioefficacy of the microbials used. All the treatments were found strongly positively correlated with per cent reduction in pest population over untreated control.