Effect of Tomato Cultivars on Insect Damage and Chemical Control

Abstract

`Pennorange E160A' and `Pearson' tomatoes had fewer fruit damaged by Keiferia lycopersicella (Wals.), the tomato pinworm, and armyworms, primarily Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), the southern armyworm, in 2 tests than on `Walter.' When measured by the number of damaged fruit, the degree of control of the tomato pinworm and southern armyworm with Dipel WP and chlordimeform was significantly affected by tomato cultivar. The number of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard leafmines/10 trifoliates (3 terminal leaflets) was significantly less on UF-763292 (a pubescent mutant breeding line), `Earliana,' `Pennorange E160A' (a cherry tomato), `Pearson,' and `Pritchard' tomato cultivars in 2 tests. Despite significantly more insect damage, `Walter' yielded more than other cultivars, primarily because of less loss from graywall. No large fruited cultivar offered much potential as a replacement for `Walter' in areas where populations of tomato pinworm, armyworms, and leafminers occur annually. `Pennorange E160A' may offer an alternative for home garden use and large, fresh market tomatoes in areas where insects are damaging in most seasons. The multiple resistance of `Pennorange E160A' and `Pearson' to the tomato pinworm, armyworms and the vegetable leafminer may be of benefit in a breeding program.