EFFECT OF EGG PARASITOID, TRICHOGRAMMA CHILONIS, IN COMBINATION WITH CHRYSOPERLA CARNEA AND NEEM SEED EXTRACT AGAINST TOMATO FRUITWORM, HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA

To investigate the efficiency of Trichogramma chilonis, T. chilonis in combination with Chrysoperla carnea and neem extract against tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera, field experiments were carried out at the Research Farm of Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during summer 2009. The plot size was 8 x 5 meters. Five treatments were used i.e. trichocard having 300 parasitized eggs (T1), trichocard having 300 parasitized eggs in combination with 45 Chrysoperla 2nd instar larvae (T2), trichocard having 300 parasitized eggs and neem extract (T3), trichocard having 300 parasitized eggs in combination with 45 Chrysoperla larvae, neem extract (T4) and control (T0). The lowest number of H. armigera larvae (0.68 plant-1) recorded in T4 was significantly lower than those of all other plots which were followed by T3 and T2 i.e. 0.85 and 0.97 plant-1 while the highest number of larvae plant-1 (1.40) was recorded in T0. The yield of tomato was highest (11570 kg) recorded in T4 and the lowest yield (7250 kg) was recorded in T5. The percent weight loss was minimum (11.04%) in T4 while maximum (20.45%) in T0. Based on yield and percent fruit damage, treatment having trichocard having 300 parasitized eggs in combination with Chrysoperla and neem extract is the most promising for effective management of H. armigera on tomato.