Biological control of helicoverpa armigera (Heliothis armigera) (Hübner) in tomato farms of ahwaz township by braconidae

摘要

The purpose of research was analyzing tendency of tomato farmers to biological control of Helicoverpa Armigera(Heliothis Armigera) (Hübner) in Ahwaz Township by Braconidae and identifying affecting factors. This studywas carried out by survey during March and October 2013. The method of research was correlative descriptive. Arandom sample of Tomato farmers of Ahwaz Township, Khouzestan Province, Iran (n=162) were selected forparticipation in the study. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding tendency of farmersto biological control of Helicoverpa Armigera (Heliothis Armigera) (Hübner) in Ahwaz Township by Braconidae.The questionnaire was pilot tested and reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Reliability was(Cronbach's alpha=0.89). Level of farmer's tendency about items of biological control of Helicoverpa Armigera(Heliothis Armigera) (Hübner) revealed mean on all items was less than 3. This indicates that tendency oftomato farmers regarding biological control is not a good situation. The results indicate 51.85% of farmers hadlow and very low tendency regarding biological control. Based on the results there is significant correlationbetween tendency of tomato farmer's with knowledge regarding biological control, skill regarding biologicalcontrol, participation in extension programs and level of education.