Role of Crop Diversification on Occurrence of Sap-sucking Insect pests and their Associated Natural Enemies on Tomato in Eastern Ethiopia
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The overall result indicated that intercropping significantly reduced the population of these insect pests compared to sole tomato. The most effective population reduction was recorded on tomato – onion (63.13%, 56.46%, and 25% in Aphids, Whiteflies and thrips respectively) next to karate (83.51, 73.74, and 66.04%) and tobacco leaf extract (77.31, 71.51, 69.34 in Aphids, Whiteflies and thrips respectively). The companion crops harbored the predators and parasitoids of diverse species predominantly. Tomato onion intercropping led the best performances in guarding tomato crop from major insect pests compared to other companion crops. Therefore, tomato onion intercrops can be used as the first options in boosting tomato production as an alternative to karate and tobacco leaf extract in sap-sucking insect pests’ management. Further study on the detailed morphological and molecular-based parasitoid species identification and their ecological host ranges are of utmost importance in the sustainable IPM strategies in tomato.
Authors: Belachew Dabalo, Mulatu Wakgari, Tarekegn Fite
Institutions: Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Haramaya University
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405916524