Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Efficacy of Naturally Occurring Sulphur and Kaolin Insect Pesticides in Management of Tomato Pests: An Alternative to Chemical Synthetics in Uganda

Yiga Steven, Nalunga M Milly, Jeninah Karungi

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are a very important horticultural crop in Uganda but their production is constrained
by the economic damage caused by several insect pests. To counter the pests, farmers dominantly use chemical
pesticides; yet this method is associated with residual problems. This study adopted an experimental design and
assessed the efficacy of naturally occurring sulfur and kaolin in the management of tomato insect pests. Substituting
synthetic chemical pesticides and preventing their residual effects informed the initiation of the study. A complete
randomized block design both inside and outside the green house of tomato variety MT56 formed the experiment
lay out. Data on insect pests (Aphids, Thrips, whiteflies, leaf miners and tomato bollworm) incidence and tomato
field performance was collected from treated and untreated tomatoes.
Results indicated that sulfur had a significant effect on reduction of pest incidence insect while kaolin treatment
had the highest reduction effect on the incidence of all insect pests except whiteflies Bemisia tabaci. Sulfur- and
kaolin-treated tomato fruits performed significantly better in leaf canopy area, plant height and blossom yield than
the untreated ones. We recommend the adoption of kaolin in order to effectively control tomato insect pests and
promote field their field performance.

Published Date: 2023-09-14; Received Date: 2023-08-14