Evaluation of the biological indices of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick, on tomato plants treated with calcium and silicon nutrition in greenhouse conditions

Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods

A. Ghassemi-Kahrizeh ¹ , S. Khanchahzar ²

1 - Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University
2 - Ms. C. Graduated, Department of Plant Protection, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran

Received: 2018-12-08 Accepted : 2020-01-31 Published : 2020-02-20

Keywords:

Abstract :

Excessive use of chemical pesticides in recent decades has caused problems in relation to the environment, human health, non-target organisms, water pollution and increased resistance of insects. Therefore, various strategies can be used, such as the use of nutrition for resistance to pests. In this research, the biological indices of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Ghelechiidae), was investigated on tomato plants (Falat cultivar) treated with nutrients calcium, silicon and mixture of calcium+silicon in greenhouse conditions. Significant differences were observed between treatments for all studied traits except pre-pupal period (P˂0.05). Means comparison revealed that the lowest density of larvae, pupae and adults was observed on mixture treatment calcium+silicon with means values of 17.00±0.41, 16.00±0.41 and 11.50±0.29 number per plant, respectively while the greatest density of larvae, pupae and adults was observed on control with means values of 21.00±0.41, 20.25±0.48 and 20.00±0.92 number per plant, respectively. The lowest and greatest larvae periods was observed on mixture treatment calcium+silicon and control with means values of 13.25±0.29 and 21.00±0.58 days, respectively, also, the lowest and greatest pupae periods was observed on mixture treatment calcium+silicon and control with means values of 9.75±0.48 and 12.75±0.63 days, respectively. The lowest and greatest longevity of adults was observed on mixture treatment calcium+silicon and control with means values of 19.00±0.91 and 38.00±0.82 days, respectively. The lowest larvae and pupae weights was observed on mixture treatment calcium+silicon with means values of 8.00±0.58 and 6.50±0.64 mg, respectively. The greatest larvae and pupae weights was observed on control with means values of 23.25±0.85 and 22.00±0.82 mg, respectively. The results showed that calcium and silicon foliar application can be caused biological control of tomato leaf miner and can be reduced its injury.