Pyriproxyfen against Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Tomato

Pyriproxyfen 10 EC (insect growth regulator) was evaluated @ 20, 30, 40 and 50 g a.i. ha−1 for the control of whitefly on tomato during 2009 and 2010 crop seasons in Punjab. It was compared with malathion 50 EC @ 500 g a.i. ha−1 as standard check. Pooled analysis of two year data showed reduction in population of whitefly adults in the treatment of pyriproxyfen @ 50 g a.i. ha−1 (50.94%) which was at par with malathion (50.24%) and pyriproxyfen @ 40 g a.i. ha−1 (45.24%) after 3 days of spray. Similarly, maximum reduction of whitefly adult population was recorded in pyriproxyfen @ 50 g a.i. ha−1 (76.33%) after 7 days of spray which was significantly better than malathion (49.60%). After 10 days of spray, maximum reduction of whitefly population was recorded in pyriproxyfen @ 50 g a.i. ha−1 (82.48%) which was at par with pyriproxyfen @ 40 g a.i. ha−1 (75.00%) but was significantly better than malathion (43.84%). Among all the treatments, pyriproxyfen @ 40 and 50 g a.i. ha−1 recorded significantly higher yield than all other treatments. Pyriproxyfen was also found to be safe to natural enemy complex on tomato. The reduction in the population of natural enemies was significantly lower in pyriproxyfen @ 50 g a.i. ha−1 after 3, 7 and 10 days of spray (54.51, 57.58 and 60.09, respectively) in comparison to malathion (63.66, 66.41 and 68.28). No phytotoxicity was observed on tomato even at double the dose of tested insecticide.