Appraisal of Different Tomato Genotypes against Tomato Fruit Worm (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.) Infestation

Screening of tomato genotypes were conducted to devise an integrated pest management strategy against tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa armigera. Fourteen commercially available tomato genotype viz. Mission 102, Sultan, 027, Chinar, GS 5575, Sourabh, T 7008, R 165, RK 101, Riogrande, Roma, Bambino, Super Classic and Roma VF were tested for resistance against H. armigera infestation under field conditions at the New Developmental Farm (NDF) of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2009 and 2010. The genotypes Chinar, Sourabh and Sultan had minimum fruit weight loss (18.98%, 21. 01% and 21.89%, respectively) as well as minimum number of infested fruits (21.40%, 23.87% and 25.43%, respectively) by the H. armigera. These genotypes also had minimum H. armigera larval population, i.e. 1.52, 1.66 and 1.65 larvae/plant, respectively. The genotypes R 165 and GS5575 had maximum loss in fruit weight (37.40% and 36.36%) as well as maximum number of infested fruit (39.40% and 40.47%) with larval population of 2.06 and 2.10 larvae/plant. Chinar yielded significantly higher (20752 kg/ha) than other genotypes while Bambino gave the lowest yield (9546 kg/ha). There was positive correlation between fruit damage on the weight basis and number basis. The correlation between H. armigera larval population and yield was found to be negative. Negative correlation was also found between yield and fruit damage both on weight basis and number basis. Over all, Chinar gave better results as it was pest resistant as well as high yielding than other tested genotype.