Comparative effects of botanical and synthetic pesticides in the control of tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Feeding Aculops lycopersici (tomato russet mite) on tomato leaves and stems change color to fawn color, plant dryness and fruits nars of infested plants. An investigation carried out with three botanical pesticides, i.e. GC–mite (1ml/l), Biomite (2 ml/l), Neem 1.8 EC (3ml/l) and 25% lower than – recommended doses in compared with 0.5ml/l dose of Bifenazate 24% SC, Cyflumetofen 20% SC, Spirodiclofen 24% SC, Spiromesifen 24% SC, 0.75 ml/l of Milbemectin 1% EC on tomato under field and greenhouse conditions in Tehran and Varamin, respectively. A completely randomized design and randomized complete block design used in greenhouse and the field with three replications. Water sprayed in control treatment. Effects of each treatment determined by random 30 tomato leaves collected at one day before and 3, 7 and 15 days after treatments. Active mite stages on lower surface of tomato leaf counted and collected data by Abbott and Henderson–tilton formulas in greenhouse and field converted to mortality percentage, respectively. Mean mite mortality percentage analysis showed a significant (p<0.05) for 3rd day interval only under greenhouse and minimum 94.70 % control received among treatments at 15th day of sampling. While least of mean of mite control among treatments after 15 days under field condition recorded 89%. Mite mortality percentage found significant (p<0.05) between 3rd and 15th days sampling time among treatments under field conditions. Higher effects of botanical recorded 92.39% for 0.75 ml/l GC–mite, Biomite (93.23, 97.22%), Neem (97.11, 95.15%) doses, respectively. Least of mite pest controlled recorded 80.98% by spirodiclofen among synthetic acaricidal under field conditions. This finding suggested that through application of botanical pesticides in rotation with other pesticides, tomato production and natural enemies almost remained safe under field conditions.