COMPARISON BETWEEN DEVELOPED IPM PROGRAM AND CONVENTIONAL CONTROL PRACTICES FOR THE TOMATO LEAFMINER, TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK) (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) IN JORDAN

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is a serious pest of tomato that was introduced into Jordan in 2010. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a conventional control (spraying deltamethrin) commonly practiced by Jordanian farmers against an IPM program for T. absoluta. The tested IPM program consisted of usinga least susceptible cultivar, a most effective insecticide, muslins barriers, sticky traps and trap plants. The experiment was conducted in Al-Karamah in Jordan Valley farm. The IPM program consisted of planting the least susceptible tomato cultivar (Dafnis),one insecticide application of the most effective insecticide (Avaunt®), yellow sticky traps, muslin barriers and trap plants. Evaluation was based on counting number of larvae at weekly basis, yield of tomato and infestation % of T. absoluta. The yield under the IPM program (3135 kg) was significantly higher than the yield under conventional treatment (2480 kg). The infestation % was significantly lower under IPM (1.77%) as compared to the conventional treatment (6.78%). The number of larvae found in the plastic house under IPM program was 484 larvae compared to the conventional plastic house (1422 larvae). This proved that the used IPM program was effective in controlling this pest and, therefore, it is recommended for controlling the insect under plastic houses in Jordan.