Evaluation of Tomato Genotypes and Chemical Control of Bemisia tabaci for TYLCV Management

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), transmitted by Bemisia tabaci, is a major constraint to tomato production worldwide, causing severe yield losses under conditions of high vector pressure. The present study was conducted during the late summer seasons of 2024 and 2025 at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, to evaluate integrated management strategies combining host plant resistance and chemical control of the vector. In 2024, a total of 28 tomato genotypes, including hybrids, inbred lines, and open-pollinated varieties, were screened under natural field conditions using a randomized complete block design, and disease incidence was assessed through a standardized severity scale and percent disease index (PDI). The results indicated that none of the genotypes exhibited complete resistance, with the majority categorized as moderately susceptible to susceptible, and only a few showing moderate resistance. In 2025, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of selected chemicals against B. tabaci, revealing significant variation among treatments, with all insecticides reducing whitefly populations compared to the untreated control. Among the treatments, Dinotefuran 10% + Thiamethoxam 20% SC showed the highest efficacy (75.2%), followed by Afidopyropen 4.89% WP (72.4%) and Flonicamid 25% SC (70.3%), while neem oil exhibited comparatively lower efficacy (37.3%). Overall, the findings demonstrate that no single strategy is sufficient for effective TYLCV management under high disease pressure, and that an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, combining moderately resistant cultivars with the judicious use of effective chemicals, is essential for sustainable control of the disease.