Environmental effect on tomato yellow leaf curl virus and whitefly population in tomato varieties under field condition

Abstract

Abstract : The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature and relative humidity on Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and whitefly population in sixteen tomato varieties in Gazipur, during 2009-2010. The experiment was laid out in randomize complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The tomato varieties namely Abhiruchi-06, Abhiruchi-10, Abhiruchi-11, Bankim, Chuanchu, Winner, Gautam. Mongal, BARI Tomato-3, BARI Tomato-2, BARI Tomato-9, Raksha, Salamat, Tropic green, Udayan and Diamond were used. Whitefly population was trapped by placing yellow traps in the field during the season. Whitefly population (27.45-49.55) fluctuated with the fluctuation of temperature (19.03°C -28.69°C) and relative humidity (73.35%- 87.90%). Temperature was significantly correlated and had pronounced effect on whitefly population compared to relative humidity. Field spread of the disease was found positive and significantly correlated (R2 = 0.728) with whitefly population build up in the field. Percent disease incidence varied from 16 to 29% while the highest incidence was found on Mongol (29%) and the lowest was in Salamat (15%). The hybrid Salamat performed better against the prevailing environmental conditions.