Journal of Insect Science (2008) 8 (4), 34-35

Mariano Muñiz, G. Nombela, A. Gómez and D. Alonso (2008)
Effects of SB Plant Invigorator® on Bemisia tabaci development in tomato plants
Journal of Insect Science 8 (4), 34-35
in P. A. Stansly and C.L. McKenzie, organizers: Fourth International Bemisia Workshop - International Whitefly Genomics Workshop, December 3-8, 2006, Duck Key, Florida, USA
Abstract: Whitefly control programmes are mostly based on the application of insecticides. However, Bemisia tabaci is able to develop resistance to many of these chemical substances, and high levels of resistance have been reported for many insecticides in different agricultural systems worldwide. Moreover, many of these chemical products are damaging to the environment if not used properly. These disadvantages make necessary the search for alternative strategies of pest control for implementation in IPM programs. Utilization of new products which fight physically but not chemically against pest is one of the alternative methods investigated nowadays. The Stan Brouard Group has developed a stimulant of plant growth called SB Plant Invigorator® (SBPI®) which helps the plant to produce quality fruits. It presents a physical mode of action that makes the product environmentally safe. Due to its formulation, SBPI® is not a pesticide but a non toxic plant stimulant, No harvest interval is therefore required after use, special health and safety measures for users are not necessary, and the product does not cause problems with residues in food. As its activity against insects is achieved by physical means, insects do not develop resistance to SBPI® and it continues being useful a long time after application. The objective of the present study was to test whether SBPI® is effective to control B. tabaci in commercial tomato plants (cv. Marmande) which lack the Mi-1 gene of resistance to whiteflies. Three days after the first foliar spraying (2ml/l solution), the product seemed to be ineffective against the adult insects, as the numbers of dead females was practically equal on both, control and treated plants. No statistically significant differences were found for egg density although the mean number of eggs laid on SBPI®-treated leaves was slightly greater than that observed on control plants. Treatment was repeated weekly during the next 4 weeks. At 31 days, new adult whiteflies started to emerge from pupae on control, with significant differences with the SBPI®-treated plants where any L3, L4 or new adults were not found. Differences in the number of L1+L2 were not statistically significant, although the mean number of individuals in these larval stages on SBPI®-treated plants was twice as much as on control plants. In conclusion, SBPI® is an effective alternative product to control B. tabaci in tomato, because foliar application inhibits or delays larval development, thereby avoiding the risk of a new whitefly generation.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Mariano Muniz, Gloria Nombela

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)