Tuta absoluta and its damaging symptoms found in tomatoes. (Photo Courtesy: SASRD:NU)
Kohima, July 4 (MExN): In an experimental trial in tomato conducted by AICRP on Vegetable Crops, Department of Horticulture, SASRD: Nagaland University (NU), Medziphema campus by Dr Waluniba, Dr Moakala Changkiri, Dr Aastik Jha, Yongkongtula, Dr SP Kanaujia and Dr Akali Sema observed the presence of South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta damaging tomato plants.
Department of Horticulture, SASRD: NU in a press release stated the pest has been reported crossing borders and devastating tomato production “in both protected and open field conditions in many parts of the world.”
It has been reported infesting tomato in some states of India, as such Tuta absoluta has also reached Nagaland as it was observed infesting tomato plants in the experiment conducted.
The release stated the pest was observed from end of March to April, where feeding damages were caused by the larvae throughout the whole plant.
The larvae feeds on the Mesophyll tissue forming irregular leaf mines which becomes transparent after feeding and the larvae could be observed between the mined transparent leaves and the leaves later become necrotic. The larvae was also observed attacking the fruits of tomato plants and the symptoms observed were small pin head shaped holes on the fruits, stated the release.
As reported in literatures and research papers, this pest originated from Latin America which has been reported to spread via infested fruits and packaging material to other parts of the world. Larvae of this insect pest can damage 80-100 percent of cultivated tomato plants in newly invaded areas if control measures are not applied.
The NU team meanwhile informed vegetable farmers of Nagaland to be vigilant of the insect pest as it might attack tomato plant “with great severity” in the future.
