Synergistic Effects of Agronet Covers and Companion Cropping on Reducing Whitefly Infestation and Improving Yield of Open Field-Grown Tomatoes

Abstract

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) are one of the biggest vegetable crops in the world, supplying a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fibre in human diets. In the tropics, tomatoes are predominantly grown under sub-optimal conditions by subsistence farmers, with exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses in the open field. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) is one of the major pests of the tomato, potentially causing up to 100% yield loss. To control whitefly, most growers indiscriminately use synthetic insecticides which negatively impact the environment, humans, and other natural pest management systems, while also increasing cost of production. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of agronet covers and companion planting with aromatic basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as an alternative management strategy for whitefly in tomatoes and to evaluate the use of these treatments ontomato growth and yield. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Training Field, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya. Treatments comprised a combination of two factors, (1) growing environment (agronet and no agronet) and (2) companion planting with a row of basil surrounding tomato plants, a row of basil in between adjacent rows of tomato, no companion planting. Agronet covers and companion cropping with a row of basil planted between adjacent tomato rows significantly lowered B. tabaci infestation in tomatoes by 68.7%. Better tomato yields were also recorded in treatments where the two treatments were used in combination. Higher yield (13.75 t/ha) was obtained from tomatoes grown under agronet cover with a basil row planted in between adjacent rows of the tomato crop compared to 5.9 t/ha in the control. Non-marketable yield was also lowered to5.9 t/ha compared to 9.8 t/ha in the control following the use of the two treatments in combination. The results of this study demonstrate the potential viability of using companion cropping and agronet covers in integrated management of B. tabaci and improvement of tomato yield.

On the Possible Use of Textile Fabrics for Vertical Farming

“…For tomatoes, whitefl ies are also a major pest that sometimes results in complete crop loss. In combination with planting aromatic basil between tomato rows, an agronet cover could reduce whitefl y infestation by more than two thirds [43]. Th e same eff ect was found when French bean plants were protected from the silverleaf whitefl y and black bean aphids.…”

On crop vector-borne diseases. Impact of virus lifespan and contact rate on the traveling-wave speed of infective fronts

“…For instance, a way to reduce the visits, and thus φ, is to use eco-friendly nets to protect the crops. This technique is under study, for example, in Kenya [37].…”

Insect-proof netting technique: Effective control of Bemisia tabaci and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) in protected cultivations in China

“…Scholars internationally have proposed prevention plans that implement single or multiple methods, such as agricultural control, physical control, and biological control. These methods include the management of B. tabaci by the combined use of insect-proof netting and aromatic plants (Mutisya et al, 2016); UV-absorbing plastic films of different specifications ; novel pyrethroid-treated, insect-proof nets (Dáder et al, 2015); and the combined use of yellow sticky traps and Eretmocerus nr. rajasthanicus (Gu et al, 2008).…”

“…Such a technique is widely employed in the field for pest control (Saidi et al, 2013;Dáder et al, 2015;Mutisya et al, 2016). However, a few issues exist with implementing this technique.…”