Impact of Changing Temperatures on Tomato Pests and Pest Control Strategies

Greg Howard
14th August, 2024

Impact of Changing Temperatures on Tomato Pests and Pest Control Strategies

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study in the Eastern Himalayan Region of India found that lower altitudes experienced earlier and more severe tomato fruit borer infestations, causing significant fruit damage
  • Higher maximum temperatures were linked to increased fruit borer incidence and greater fruit damage
  • Among the tomato varieties tested, Cherry tomato and MT-2 showed the least fruit damage, while MT-3 and MT-2 had the highest yields across all locations
Tomato cultivation is a significant agricultural activity in the Eastern Himalayan Region of India. However, climate change, especially temperature variations, poses a substantial threat to this crop by influencing pest populations. The ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region conducted a study to understand how varying thermal regimes impact the incidence of tomato fruit borers, a major pest affecting tomato yields[1]. Field experiments were carried out at three different altitudes, ranging from below 500 meters to over 1500 meters. The results revealed that lower altitudes experienced an earlier onset of fruit borer incidence, from March 5th to 18th, with peak infestations reaching between 1.47 ± 0.34 to 1.73 ± 0.37 larvae per plant. This led to significant fruit damage, ranging from 26% to 29%. In contrast, the highest altitude location saw only about 9% fruit damage. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis showed that higher maximum temperatures significantly increased both the incidence of H. armigera (tomato fruit borer) and the resultant fruit damage. Climatic data for the region indicated a rising temperature trend during the tomato growing season, suggesting an elevated risk of fruit borer impacts in the future. To address this, the study evaluated eight different tomato varieties and genotypes, analyzing their biochemical parameters to understand their tolerance levels. The findings demonstrated a strong positive correlation between fruit borer incidence and total soluble solids in the tomatoes, while there was a negative correlation with acidity. Among the varieties tested, Cherry tomato and MT-2 showed relatively lower fruit damage, at 7.62% and 10.04%, respectively. Furthermore, MT-3 and MT-2 consistently yielded the highest production across all locations, with yields of 50.92 t/ha and 50.57 t/ha, respectively. This study builds on earlier research that has explored the impact of temperature on plant physiology and pest interactions. For instance, a prior study investigated the effects of heat stress on two tomato cultivars, Campbell-28 and Nagcarlang, revealing that the thermotolerant Nagcarlang was less affected by heat stress compared to Campbell-28[2]. This aligns with the current study's findings, which emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate genotypes for managing pest impacts under varying thermal conditions. Additionally, the study's insights into biochemical parameters resonate with earlier findings on the role of plant biochemistry in pest interactions. Previous research has shown that the abundance of vitamin C in plants can influence their susceptibility to insect feeding[3]. This underscores the importance of understanding the biochemical makeup of tomato varieties to develop effective pest management strategies. The implications of this study are significant for sustainable agricultural practices in the Eastern Himalayan Region. By identifying tomato varieties that are more tolerant to fruit borer damage and understanding the biochemical factors that influence pest incidence, farmers can make informed decisions about which varieties to cultivate. This can lead to improved pest management and higher yields, ensuring the sustainability of tomato farming in the region. In conclusion, the study conducted by the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on tomato fruit borers and highlights the importance of selecting suitable tomato varieties for effective pest management. By integrating these findings with earlier research on plant physiology and biochemistry, the study offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change to tomato cultivation.

AgricultureEnvironmentPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Influence of shifting thermal regimes on tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in the Eastern Himalaya: implications for pest management strategies.

Published 13th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02741-2

Related Studies

2) High temperature effects on photosynthetic activity of two tomato cultivars with different heat susceptibility.

Journal: Journal of plant physiology, Issue: Vol 162, Issue 3, Mar 2005

3) Vitamin C content in plants is modified by insects and influences susceptibility to herbivory.

https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.200900187


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙