Performance of some Egyptian tomato cultivars to the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) infestation and its distribution patterns

Abstract

The current study examined the response of certain tomato cultivars to infestation by Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and its spatial distribution patterns in the Mansoura region, Dakhlia Governorate, Egypt, over the course of two consecutive seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). The results demonstrated that T. absoluta larvae were present on all tomato varieties throughout the season. The vulnerability of these cultivars to T. absoluta larvae varied greatly. The tomato cultivar Hybrid T4 84 had the greatest number of larvae and was classified as highly susceptible (H.S.) to T. absoluta larval infestation. The cultivars Maram and Rawan were found to be relatively resistant (RR), while Fiona and Hybrid T4 70 cultivars seemed to be susceptible (S). However, during both seasons, the Beto 86 cultivar was evaluated as relatively resistant to pests and exhibited the lowest estimates of T. absoluta larvae. This tomato variety should be promoted in areas where T. absoluta larvae infestation is high. Using distribution indices, all evaluated tomato cultivars showed a significant clustering behavior throughout each season. Also, the cluster analysis method and the T. absoluta larvae estimates were examined using correlation analysis to differentiate the six tomato cultivars. Following principal component analysis, two-dimensional analysis was conducted on six tomato cultivars to confirm their association. This data can help farmers develop an integrated approach to controlling pests caused by T. absoluta on tomato plants.