Evaluation of six insecticides for the control of potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci in relation to induced resistance and tuber quality

Potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important pests of potato. Field experiments were carried out during two successive growing winter seasons of winter 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 at the Research station of Faculty of Agriculture Alexandria University, to evaluate the efficacy of six conventional insecticides , emamectin benzoate + thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, etofenprox, fenitrothion, pymetrozine and thiamethoxam against Bemisia tabaci on potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.,) of variety sponta, either as direct effect or indirect effect during induced resistance and their relationship with crop yield. Results showed that emamectin benzoate+thiamethoxam, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid achieved high reduction percentage of whitefly adults. Also, fenitrothion, pymterozine and imidacloprid achieved high reduction percentage of whitefly immature. Fortunately, these treatments had a positive effect, both on the measures of induced resistance that were estimated, and at the same time they had a promising effect on the potato yield in terms and quality.