THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THREE TOMATO CULTIVARS AND THE EFFICACY OF THREE INSECTICIDES IN CONTROLLING THE BROAD TOMATO LEAFMINER, TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK) (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) IN THE HIGH LANDS OF JORDAN

摘要

The broad tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is a serious pest of tomato that was introduced into Jordan in 2010. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the susceptibility of three tomato cultivars and the efficacy of three insecticides in controlling the immature stages to develop an IPM program. Experiments were conducted in Al Baqa' in Al Balqa governorate in the highlands of Jordan during 2013 to 2015. The first tested experiment was the susceptibility of Dafnis, Newton and Shams cultivars to T. absoluta. The second tested experiment was Avaunt?, Belt? and Phytomax? for controlling the pest on cultivar Dafnis. The total number of larvae was the lowest in cultivar Dafnis compared to Newton and Shams, (1238, 1909, 2029) in Al Baqa. The insecticide Avaunt? was also used which was the most effective insecticide. The total number of larvae was the lowest using Avaunt? compared to Belt?, Phytomax? and control (158, 361, 574, 637) in Al Baqa. The yield, infestation % and the number of larvae found in the IPM plastic house were (3135kg, 1.77%, 484 larvae) compared to the conventional plastic house (2480kg, 6.78%, 1422 larvae). This IPM program was found effective in controlling this pest and, therefore, it is recommended for controlling the insect under plastic houses in Jordan.