Chemical insecticides alternating with botanical insecticides as management options of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Gennadius) and Geminivirus in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Tisma Nicaragua

Abstract

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Gennadius.) and Geminiviruses are the main agents of damage causing severe phytosanitary problems for tomato producers (Solanum lycopersicum, L.). This insect causes significant economic losses, decreasing yields by affecting the quality of fruits. Based on this situation, a study was conducted in the municipality of Tisma, Masaya in the period between july and september 2015 to evaluate the effectiveness of alternating chemical insecticides with botanists for the management of the whitefly and its damage caused by viruses. The evaluated treatments were: Engeo® alternated with Chili+Garlic+detergent, Imidacloprid® alternated with Madero Negro, Abamectina® alternated with Neem, Monarca® alternated with Chili+garlic and a control consisting of water only applications. The evaluated variables were, number of whitefly per plant, incidence and severity of virus damage per plant, yield in kg ha-1. Of the treatments evaluated, the lower number of white flies, lower percentage of incidence and severity of virus damage and higher yield was presented by the Abamectina® treatment alternated with Neem, followed by Monarca® alternated with chili+garlic. It is concluded that Abamectina® alternated with Neem is the treatment that was most effective for the management of whitefly and its damage by virus.