Determination of tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) population in open field and greenhouse tomato growing areas on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Determination of tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) population in open field and greenhouse tomato growing areas on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Tomato is very important vegetable crop of the world. It is consumed as fresh table tomato and as raw material for food processing industries. The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the most destructive pest attacking tomato plant, Lycopersicon esculentum. The tomato leafminer was recorded in Crete (Greece) for the first time in June 2009. Under heavy infestation yield loss in the range of 80-100% is common. During this research, a total of 10 (ten) different tomato growing areas (5 open fields in Güzelyurt and 5 greenhouses in Girne) have been visited. The 5 greenhouses are found in Girne region and related, distrinct villages [Tepebaşı 1(K1), Tepebaşı 2 (K2), Çamlıbel (K7), Geçitköy 1(K9) and Geçitköy 2 (K10)] and 5 open field areas are found in Güzelyurt region and related, distrinct villages [Yeşilırmak (K3), Çamlıköy (K5), Yeşilyurt (K6), Aydınköy (K11) and Yayla (K13)]. 5 (five) pheromone traps were used for each village and for each area. To make this trap, it has been used a 62 cm x 19 cm plastic container by putting approximately 100 ml. olive oil in to prevent the catching of adult tomato leafminer and a steel line over the top of the container. The pheromone traps were hang on that line as an attractant. The olive oil which was found inside the plastic container was changed every week and adults were counted to determine the population of tomato leafminer. The highest adult population of adult Tuta absoluta was recorded from K9 plot and the second highest population was found in K10 plot in Girne region for greenhouses, which was occurring in Geçitköy. The highest population of Tuta absoluta for open field was recorded from K13 plot which was occurring in Yayla village and the second highest population was determined in K6 plot which was occurring in Yeşilyurt village for Güzelyurt region. When all datas were evaluated, the population was recorded highest in K13 plot (Yayla village) for open field and greenhouse tomato growing.
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