Entomologia Generalis (2020) 40, 195-205

Elahe Rostami, Hossein Madadi, Habib Abbasipour, Hossein Allahyari and Andrew G.S. Cuthbertson (2020)
Pest density influences on tomato pigment contents: the South American tomato pinworm scenario
Entomologia Generalis 40 (2), 195-205
Abstract: It has long been hypothesized that there is a relationship between pigment content of host plant and pest densities. This study aimed to assess the amount of tomato carotenoid, chlorophyll content and leaf area damage in response to different levels of damage caused by the South Ametical tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepodoptera: Gelechiidae). The results confirmed the effect of pest density on chlorophyll a, b, a+b, and carotenoids contents were all significant in the first year of study. During the second year, the effect of T. absoluta treatments on chlorophyll "a", "b", "a+b" and on carotenoids was significant. The highest and lowest values of pigment content were recorded in control and plant treatments of eight T. absoluta eggs in the first year and plant treatments of sixteen eggs in the second year, respectively. The results of leaf loss assessment demonstrated a significantly different consumed leaf area across the different densities of T. absoluta eggs in both years. The results are useful in gaining an oversight of pest density influences on tomato pigment content. By estimating the reduction of the pigments content and or reducing the green tissue of the plant and its relationship with the pest density, damage can be prevented before it reaches the economic injury level.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hossein Madadi, Habib Abbasipour, Hossein Allahyari, Andrew G.S. Cuthbertson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea absoluta	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)