Impact of Environmental Factors on Tomato Leaf Curl Virus and Its Management through Plant Extracts

Abstract

In the present study the correlation between TLCV incidence on different lines/varieties and the environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) was conducted. Furthermore, the whitefly population was also correlated with the environmental factors. It was revealed that there exists a strong positive and significant interaction in case of maximum and minimum temperature (8ºC-32ºC) and TLCV incidence but negative and significant interaction was observed in case of relative humidity and rainfall. The whitefly population showed a positive significant interaction with maximum and minimum temperatures prevailing. While whitefly population decreases with an increase in relative humidity and rainfall. It was also studied that the plant extracts (Neem, Bitter melon and Itsit) play a vital role in the management of TLCV in tomato plants. Where it was observed that the Plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Momordica charantia (Bitter melon) and Trianthema monogyna linn. (Itsit)  at 5% concentration was effective in reducing the disease incidence. However, Neem extract at 5% concentration showed better results as compared to control and other plant extract i.e., Bitter melon and Itsit, in controlling the whitefly population and disease incidence of TLCV.

Keywords: Tomato leaf curl virus, environmental factors, whitefly, plant extracts