Management of Whitefly Pest in Tomato Plants

Tomato, one of the most important Horticultural crops, globally faces threat from Pests and Diseases. This blog explains the main threat in the Tomato crop called "Whitefly", leading to significant yield losses if left unchecked. In this article, we'll explore effective measures to control and manage Whitefly.

What is Whitefly?

Whiteflies feed by sucking sap from the leaves, and in doing so can debilitate the plant, promote growth of sooty mold on excreted honeydew, cause irregular ripening of tomato, and transmit viral pathogens, the worst of which is Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). If the whiteflies have been feeding for several days, the leaves may have a sticky substance (whitefly honeydew) and ants may be present as honeydew consumers. The easiest way to find whiteflies is to brush or shake the leaves and look for the whitefly adults which fly off.

Short Description of Whitefly

Here is the detail information related to the Whitefly:

Type of Infestation	Pest
Common Name	Whitefly
Scientific Name	Bemisia tabaci
Affected parts of the plant	Leaves

Favorable factors of Whitefly pest in Tomato Crop

The development of whiteflies accelerates in temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels above 50% are conducive to their development, and they may experience difficulties in dry conditions.

Symptoms of Tomato Crop affected by Whitefly:

Main symptoms of plant affected by Whitefly are:

• The new growth of plants with tomato yellow leaf curl has reduced internodes, giving the plant a stunted appearance.
• The new leaves are also greatly reduced in size and wrinkled, are yellowed between the veins, and have margins that curl upward, giving them a cup-like appearance.

Control Measures of Whitefly in Tomato:

To control whitefly in tomatoes, implement a combination of cultural practices, monitoring, and chemical control measures.

Bio and Organic products for control of White fly in Tomato Crop

Here are the best recommendations of bio and organic products.

Products	Bio/Organic	Dosage
BEAUVERIA BASSIANA	BIO	1 to 2 lit /acre
VERTICILLIUM LECANII	BIO	1 to 2 lit /acre
3 IN 1 PEST CONTROLLER	Organic	2ml/ liter
SARVASHAKTI	ORGANIC	200 - 400 ml/ Acre
TRIPLE ATTACK	BIO	1 to 2 lit /acre

Chemical control methods for Whitefly in Tomato Crop

Here are the best recommendations of Chemical control measures.

Products	Technical Names	Dosages
ASHWAMEDH	Diafenthiuron 50% WP	250 grams/ Acre
NASHAK	Fipronil 40% + Imidacloprid 40% WG	6 - 7 grams/ 15 liters
PYRON	Pyriproxyfen 5% + Diafenthiuron 25% SE	400 - 500 ml/ Acre
IMD-178	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	100 - 150 ml/ Acre
CHAKRAWARTHI	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	60 - 80 ml/ Acre
OZIL	Spiromesifen 22.9% SC	200 - 250 ml/ Acre
FANTASY PLUS	Fipronil 4% + Acetamiprid 4% SC	2ml / liter

FAQS Related to Whitefly Insect In Tomato Plants:

Q. What are the symptoms of a whitefly infestation in tomato plants?

A. Symptoms include reduced internode growth, stunted appearance of plants, smaller and wrinkled new leaves, yellowing between veins, and upward curling margins on leaves.

Q. How can I identify whiteflies on my tomato plants?

A. You can find whiteflies by brushing or shaking the leaves and observing for small white adults that fly off. Presence of sticky honeydew and ants on the leaves are also indicators.

Q. Can whitefly infestations lead to the spread of diseases in tomato plants?

A. Yes, whiteflies can transmit diseases like Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) which can severely impact tomato plant health and yield.

Q. What is the best insecticide to control Whitefly in Tomato Plants?

A. The best insecticide for Whitefly infestation in tomato plants are Katyayani Nashak and Katyayani Ashwamedh.