Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Efficacy of Naturally Occurring Sulphur and Kaolin Insect Pesticides in Management of Tomato Pests: An Alternative to Chemical Synthetics in Uganda

Yiga Steven*, Nalunga M Milly and Jeninah Karungi

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are a very important horticultural crop in Uganda but their production is constrained by the economic damage caused by several insect pests. To counter the pests, farmers dominantly use chemical pesticides; yet this method is associated with residual problems. This study adopted an experimental design and assessed the efficacy of naturally occurring sulfur and kaolin in the management of tomato insect pests. Substituting synthetic chemical pesticides and preventing their residual effects informed the initiation of the study. A complete randomized block design both inside and outside the green house of tomato variety MT56 formed the experiment lay out. Data on insect pests (Aphids, Thrips, whiteflies, leaf miners and tomato bollworm) incidence and tomato field performance was collected from treated and untreated tomatoes.

Results indicated that sulfur had a significant effect on reduction of pest incidence insect while kaolin treatment had the highest reduction effect on the incidence of all insect pests except whiteflies Bemisia tabaci. Sulfur and kaolin-treated tomato fruits performed significantly better in leaf canopy area, plant height and blossom yield than the untreated ones. We recommend the adoption of kaolin in order to effectively control tomato insect pests and promote field their field performance.

Published Date: 2023-09-14; Received Date: 2023-08-14