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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206873
Title: Plant essential oils and particle films for the management of tomato spotted wilt on tomatoes

Author
item Reitz, Stuart
item MAIORINO, GIUSEPPINA - UNIVERSITA BASILICATA
item RITCHIE, LAURA - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item OLSON, STEVE - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item SPRENKEL, RICHARD - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item CRESCENZI, ANIELLO - UNIVERSITA BASILICATA
item MOMOL, M. TIMUR - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2006
Publication Date: 6/20/2006
Citation: Reitz, S.R., Maiorino, G., Ritchie, L., Olson, S., Sprenkel, R., Crescenzi, A., Momol, M. 2006. Plant essential oils and particle films for the management of tomato spotted wilt on tomatoes. Phytopathology. 96(6):S97.

Interpretive Summary: The thrips-vectored Tomato spotted wilt virus is the primary pest problem facing tomato production in the southern USA. Because insecticides do not effectively control primary infection by thrips immigrating into crop fields, scientists with the Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entmology, the University of Florida, and the Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy are investigating biologically-based, sustainable alternatives to manage thrips and tomato spotted wilt. Field trials were conducted to determine the effects of three plant essential oils, geraniol, lemongrass oil and tea tree oil and kaolin based particle films on the incidence of tomato spotted wilt and population dynamics of thrips. When combined with kaolin, the three plant essential oils controlled adult thrips and the incidence of tomato spotted wilt as well as the grower standard insecticide treatment. Kaolin significantly increased yield. When applied with kaolin, the plant essential oils produced yields similar to the grower standard. Kaolin may reduce the volatility of the oils, thus increasing their repellency to thrips. These findings indicate that naturally occurring products, such as plant essential oils and particle films, could be used successfully to reduce insecticide use on tomatoes.

Technical Abstract: The thrips-vectored Tomato spotted wilt virus is a limiting factor in tomato production in the southern USA. Because insecticides do not effectively control primary infection by thrips immigrating into crop fields, we are investigating alternatives that would be effective and environmentally non-disruptive. We conducted a field trial to determine the effects of three plant essential oils, geraniol, lemongrass oil and tea tree oil as natural plant derived chemical repellent to thrips, and kaolin based particle films on the incidence of tomato spotted wilt and population dynamics of thrips. Plant essential oils were applied at 250 ppm twice per week and were compared with a grower standard insecticide treatment and an untreated control. All treatments were applied with and without kaolin, in a 5 × 2 factorial design. When combined with kaolin, the three plant essential oils controlled adult thrips and the incidence of tomato spotted wilt as well as the grower standard treatment. Kaolin significantly increased yield. When applied with kaolin, the plant essential oils produced yields similar to the grower standard. Kaolin may reduce the volatility of the oils, thus increasing their repellency to thrips. These findings indicate that naturally occurring products, such as plant essential oils and particle films, could be used successfully to reduce insecticide use on tomatoes.