Tomato insect control – A mandatory step for good harvest
Tomato, the beautiful juicy and pulpy fruit (considered a vegetable in the culinary sense, especially in India), is a must in almost all Indian kitchens. Imparting a tangy taste to various dishes in which it is used, tomatoes are also a favourite for salads. Tomatoes are high in nutrition quotient as well. The vegetable abounds in fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Because of its versatility and taste, this vegetable is widely used in various Indian recipes including curries. Along with being used extensively in salads, tomatoes are also used in the making of sauces, ketchup, purees, pickles and even soups. Because of their nutritive value and myriad uses in the kitchen, tomatoes remain in demand in Indian households.
Botanically known as Lycopersicum esculentum, tomatoes belong to the family Solanacae. Tomatoes are herbaceous sprawling plants, which grow up to a height of almost 1-3 metres and have weak woody stems.
Tomatoes are among the most important commercial vegetable crops in India. The Indian climatic condition is highly suitable for the growth of tomatoes as it is a warm-season crop. For proper growth of tomatoes, a combination of warm and cool climates is ideal. High humidity and frost are not good for this crop.
Problems Farmers Face With Tomato Cultivation
Tomato cultivation is not as simple as it seems. Many constraints are associated with tomato production. One of the main and most prominent constraints is the lack of an effective and proper irrigation system. Farmers also don’t have proper knowledge of chemical pest and insect management. Tomato plants are often infested with pests and various kinds of diseases. And without proper knowledge and information on chemical management and tomato insect control, pest management is hampered greatly in tomato cultivation in India.
Some Common Pests And Insects Harming Tomato Plants And The Ways Of Controlling Them
Before you start using any random tomato fungicide spray for protecting your tomato plants from pests and insects, you must know about the various pests and insects that infest the crop. This will help in better tomato insect control and give improved crop yield and production.
Mentioned below are some of the most common pests which greatly impact tomato plants:
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Whiteflies
These are extremely tiny small insects, which feed on the juice of the tomato plant and leave a sticky residue, which becomes a host for sooty mould. If you move the leaves of the infected plant, you will see hordes of these tiny flies flying away. The worst part is that these white flies have developed resistance against almost all kinds of insecticides. However, if the infestation can be identified at its starting stage, it can be controlled with ease.
Media Super, from the house of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, is a systemic insecticide which helps in controlling sucking pests effectively by acting on the central nervous system of the insect. The formulation of this insecticide comes in a suspension concentrate form and is ideal for seed, soil, and foliar use. The plant absorbs the insecticide promptly and distributes it evenly, thereby killing all infestation.
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Aphids
Aphids are clusters of small insects which are mainly located on the new growths and stems of tomato plants. If aphids are present on small scale, you need not worry much. Crush them with your fingers and they will be gone. However, if the infestation is on a large scale, it can kill plants or cause serious injury to the crops. Look for areas where there is a dense concentration of aphids and tear off the foliage area and dump it into the garbage. A heavy concentration of aphids is difficult to control and, in such cases, there is no other alternative than seeking chemical pest control treatments.
Areva is a granular insecticide, which is soluble and hence is quickly absorbed by plants. This insecticide provides long-term protection against various insects and is environment-friendly at the same time.
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Fruit Borer
This is a polyphagous pest, which infests various crops including tomatoes. Initially, the pest feeds on the leaves and then reaches the fruits. The pest eats the tissues of the fruit completely and makes it hollow. The head of the pest remains inside the fruit, while the whole body remains jutted out from the tomato. If you find round holes in tomatoes, know that there was fruit borer. You will also find similar shoots, leaves, and buds.
Dhanuka Agritech Limited’s Cover Liquid is an excellent broad-spectrum insecticide. The insecticide has a unique mode of action and offers protection for extended durations against various kinds of pests and insects including fruit borers.
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Leaf Miner
You can easily locate the leaf miner on the leaves of a tomato plant as they are visible. Look for serpentine lines on the leaves of the tomato plant, which are white to yellowish-white in colour. In case of severe infestations, you will find that the leaves of the plant dry up and eventually fall off. These pests thrive well in warm weather conditions as it is most suitable for their multiplication. If you locate a leaf miner, try using a suitable insecticide at the earliest to prevent further damage.
Mortar and Cover by Dhanuka Agritech Limited are two ideal solutions for combating leaf miners in tomato plants. Both these insecticides are effective on pests at all stages. Along with tackling the problem of leaf miners and other pests, these products also enhance the quantity of yield.
Dhanuka Agritech Limited – Ideal Destination For Tomato Insect Control Solutions
Whether you are looking for tomato fungicide spray or other insecticides or pesticides for tomato plants, there is no better place than Dhanuka Agritech Limited. Along with tomato insect control solutions, the company offers varieties of products for different kinds of insects, pests, fungi, and so on.
The company has pest control solutions for most major crops in India. If you want to know more about the company and the products it deals in, do visit the website of Dhanuka Agritech Limited.
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