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Incidence and abundance of tomato fruit borer,

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in relation to the
time of cultivation in the...

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 Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97

Incidence and abundance of tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera

(Hubner) in relation to the time of cultivation in the northern parts
of West Bengal, India

Kaushik Chakraborty*, Revadi Santosh and A. K. Chakravarthy

*Department of Zoology, Alipurduar College, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri.736122. West Bengal, India
Department of Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK,
Bangalore-560065, India
*E-mail: kaushik_apdcollege@rediffmail.com

Incidence and abundance of tomato Fenemore, 1990). Apart from tomato, H.

fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)
is dependent on both the climatic parameters
and the growth stage of the tomato crop.
Time fitted tomato cultivation as a part of
modern IPM is thus found indispensible to
minimize H. armigera menace in the
northern parts of West Bengal, India where
tomato is grown on commercial scale. In
order to suppress H. armigera induced
damage, field experiment for three
consecutive years (2007-2009) under four
alternative time schedule (early, middle, late
and very late) was carried out in pesticide
untreated field of tomato cultivar Pusa ruby
at Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal.
Maximum (24.43 individuals/ 5 plants) and
minimum (13.92 individuals/ 5 plants) pest
incidence was noted when transplantation
was done at 12 and 7 standard
meteorological weeks (SMWs) respectively.
The extent of damage by larval population
was comparatively higher as the plantation
date advances. Early transplantation was
thus found economically prudent to avoid
fruit borer menace. Variable impact of the
climatic factors on the borer incidence was
accordingly also noted to generate a time
fitted cultivation schedule.
Tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa
armigera Hubner is a cosmopolitan,
polyphagous pest, distributed widely in
Indian subcontinent (Sing et al., 1990,
armigera is reported to infest cotton, maize,
chickpea, pigeon-pea, sorghum, sunflower,
soyabean and groundnut (Fitt, 1989). Larvae
affect almost all the aerial parts of the
tomato plant from the early growth till to the
fruit maturation stage ( Lal et al., 1996,
Tripathy et al., 1999). Loss incurred to
growing tomato crop is insurmountable and
may extend up to 51.20 per cent in Punjab
(Sing et al., 1990); 40-50 per cent in
Bangalore (Khaderkhan et al., 1997) and
32.52 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (Ganguly
et al., 1998). Severe infestation causes
necrosis to the leaf chlorophillus tissue,
suppresses tomato flowers to bloom and
makes the mature fruit unfit to consume
(Jallow et al. 2001). In Jalpaiguri, Bengal
considerable losses to tomato due to this
pest have been reported (Chaudhuri, 2000).
Due to the absence of suitable scientific
protocol, tomato is commercially grown in
northern parts of Bengal by conventional
cultivation practices without any specific
time schedule. Among the northern parts,
the district Uttar Dinajpur offers a congenial
environment for tomato cultivation. Farmers
do follow irregular planting dates
disregarding the incidence of borer
population. Time fitted transplantation with
the selection of resistant varieties as a part of
modern integrated pest management (IPM)
package can thus minimize fruit borer
menace.

91

Experimental layout:
Incidence and abundance of H.
armigera larvae was recorded in four time-
slots of cultivation and was assessed in
consideration of standard meteorological
weeks (SMWs). Field study was conducted
by RBD in 2007-2009 in pesticide untreated
field of tomato cultivar Pusa ruby at Raiganj
[ 25o57´´N 27o N – 88o54´- 89o 54´ E],
Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal.
Transplantation was done with 25-days old
seedlings at 50x65 cm seedling spacing; and
in a succession of 15-days intervals and in
four separate plots on 44 SMW (early), 46
SMW (middle), 48SMW (late) and 50 SMW
(very late), respectively. Incidence of borer
larvae was recorded from 5 randomly
selected plants from vegetative growth stage
till to the fruit maturation and the average
was worked out. Extent of damage was
recorded 75-days after transplantation, in
terms of the number of fruits bearing larval
puncture points. There were three
replications for each of the experiment
years. Larval counts were correlated with
climatic factors as maximum temperature
(Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin),
temperature gradient (Tgr), maximum
humidity (RHmax), minimum humidity
(RHmin), humidity gradient (RHgr),
sunshine hour (Shr), rainfall (Rfall) and
rainy days (Rdays).
Incidence of borer population in relation to
time of cultivation (Table 1 and Fig 1):
Initially the number of borer larvae
was low during transplantation. Borer
larvae attained the maximum at mid-
vegetative stage. In early sown crop,
infestation was initiated at 7 SMW and
attained maximum damage of 13.35 per
cent at about 13 SMW. In middle sown
crop, infestation was initiated at 9 SMW
and maximized at 16 SMW scoring the
highest level of damage of 18.45 per cent.
Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97
In late sown crop, the larval number was
noticed from the beginning of crop
establishment (at 11 SMW) which reached
the maximum damage of 24.43 per cent at
16 SMW. In very late sown crop, fruit
boring started from 13 SMW and gradually
increased attaining the maximum of 24.43
per cent at 16 SMW. The average incidence
was significantly highest in very late sown
crop (17 per cent) and the lowest in early
sown (7.65 per cent) crop. The middle and
late sown crop witnessed 8.74 per cent and
9.91 per cent attack, respectively.
In consideration of overall
dynamics, extremely low population at
early growth stage of tomato plant
increased very rapidly and forms the first
peak. In a single crop cycle two larval
peaks were noted. The first one was found
at about 15-16 SMW. This was followed by
sharp fall of the larval population. The next
peak of comparatively lower larval
incidence but of consistent in nature was
generated at about 20-21 SMW. However,
after the second peak substantial number of
larval population was found in the field.
The population then subsumed gradually as
the crop matures. Extent of fruit damage by
H.armigera was in average 2.15-13.35 per
cent ,3.14-18.45 per cent ,2.01-13.52 per
cent and 4.61-24.43 per cent when
transplantation was done at 44 SMW
(early), 46 SMW (middle), 48SMW (late)
and 50 SMW (very late) respectively.
Grossly, in consideration of all the time
schedule of cultivation, the maximum
damage period of fruit borer incidence was
initiated at about 13 SMW and continued
up to 19 SMW, covering the maximum
growth stages of the tomato plant. The
plant protection schedule should be fitted
accordingly.
Incidence of fruit borer was more
or less consistent with time showing
definite pattern in all the years. However,
irrespective of time slots of cultivation,
92

high level of borer infestation was noted
from 14 to 17 SMW. Theoretically, the
period of borer infestation was longer in
early sown tomato crop followed by middle
sown and late sown crop and the least being
noted in very late sown crop. The duration
of borer infestation was related to the
duration of crop pest interactive time more
precisely at fruit stage of the crop. The crop
duration vis-à-vis fruiting stage was
comparatively longer when early sowing
date was adopted, offering congenial
situation for maximum period of plat-pest
interaction. But when an early plantation
was done, the existing climatic parameter
has a suppressive function on larval growth
and hence the extent of damage was low.
So the overall result was low larval
numbers and incidence with least range of
fruit damage.
Incidence of borer larvae in relation to
climatic parameters (Table 2):
Correlation value between
important weather parameters and the
incidence of borer population on crop
planted at different times varied
considerably. Except in early sown crop,
maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum
temperature (Tmin) and temperature
gradient (Tgr) showed significant positive
relation with borer larval population on all
the planting dates. However, average
temperature (Tavg) imparted significant
positive effect on all the planting dates.
Effect of maximum relative humidity
(RHmax) was negative in early and middle
sown crops but for late and very late crops it
was positive. Except early sown crop where
it was negative, the effect of average relative
humidity (RHavg) was positive for all
other plantation periods. Further, apart from
middle sown crop the overall effect of
average relative humidity (RHavg) was
significant. Irrespective of the planting date
effects of sunshine hours (Shr), rainfall
Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97
(Rfall) and number of rainy days (Rdays)
were negative at 5% level of significance.
The incidence of fruit borer is
governed by both the fruiting stage of the
crop and the time of plantation. Fruit
damage was the lowest in early sown crop
(2.01 per cent) and gradually increased and
reached the highest level in very late sown
crop (24.43 per cent) during late sown.
Temperature has grossly imparted positive
effect on borer larval numbers. Late sowing
and transplantation is discouraged as
ambient temperature gradually increases and
has adverse effect on tomato plant growth
including fruit maturation. Impact of other
climatic factors has definite effect
throughout the cultivation time.
Chaudhuri (2000) forms Cooch
Behar, West Bengal have reported very high
loss of tomato due to borer infestation. But
in the present study the extent of loss is
comparatively moderate. Present
observations are supported by Sing (1984)
who has also noted that fruit borers lay eggs
on buds and flowers of tomato and
subsequently attack on developing fruits. All
these activities were influenced by climatic
factors. Walker and Cameron (1990) have
noted high fruit borer population ranging
from 6 to 10 SMW. Lal et al. (1996) have
also observed maximum borer infestation at
the end of March in each year. Minimum
yield gain was registered by Sharma et al.
(1997) when transplantation was done at
28th March and 12th April, respectively. In
Haryana, maximum borer infestation was
reported to occur in May (Kalra, 1992)
which partially corroborates to the present
study. H. armigera infestation was
comparatively low in early planted tomato.
Borer infestation increased as planting was
delayed by 15 days.
93
 Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97

CONCLUSION
Fenemore, P. G. and Thanee, N., 1990,
The incidence of larval populatoin of
Oviposition preference and
tomato fruit borer, H. armigera was
larval food quality in
recorded across all the stages of the crop in
Helicoverpa armigera. Symp.
four specific time slots. Results showed that
Biol. Hung. 39: 461–462.
the population reached the peak during the
fruiting stage of the crop resulting in the
Fitt, G.P., 1989, The ecology of Heliothis in
higher fruit damage. The number comes
relation to agro ecosystems.
down as the cropping age reaches the
Annual Review of Entomol., 34:
terminal stage. Grossly the damaging
17–52.
potentiality of larval population begins from
9 SMW and continues to 17 SMW, there is a
Ganguly, R. N. and Dubey, V. K., 1998,
positive correlation between the larval
Management of tomato fruit
number and number of weeks after
borer Helicoverpa armigera
transplation. Later the population comes
Hubner in Chhattishgarh of
down in a similar fashion. From this
Madhya Pradesh. Insect
observation is found that the incidence and
Environment, 4(1): 25
abundance of tomato fruit borer, H.
armigera (Hubner) is dependent on both the
Jallow, M. F. A., Matsumura, M. and
climatic parameters and the growth stage of
Suzuki, Y., 2001, Oviposition
the tomato crop. Time fitted transplantation
preference and reproductive
of tomato seedlings at early months as a part
performance of Japanese
of modern IPM is thus found indispensible
Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)
to minimize H. armigera menace in the
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
northern parts of West Bengal, India.
Applied Entomology and
Zoology 36: 419–426.
REFERENCES
Kalra,V. K.,1992., Heliothis armigera
Casimero, V., Tsukuda, R., Nakasuji, F. and Hubner on tomato incidence and
Fujisaki, K., 2000, Effect of extent of damage-a note.
larval diets on the survival and Haryana. Journal of
development of larvae in the Hotricultural Sciences 21(3-4):
cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa 316-318.
armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae). Applied Entomology Khaderkhan, H., Natarajan, M.S. and
and Zoology, 35: 69–74. Nagaraja, G. N., 1997.
Economics of IPM in tomato, Ist
Chaudhuri, N., 2000, Insect pest constrains Nat. Symp. On pest management
of tomato (Lycopersicon in Horticultural crops:
esculentum Mill.) and their Environmental implications and
management under terai region thrusts, October 15-17,
of West Bengal. Ph.D thesis Bangalore. 8
submitted to the University of
North Bengal. Raja Lal, O.P. and Lal, S. K., 1996. Failure of
Rammohanpur, Darjeeling West control measures against
Bengal.

94

Heliothis armigera (Hubner)
infesting tomato in heavy
pesticidal application areas in
Delhi and satellite towns in
western Uttar Pradesh and
Haryana (India). Journal
Entomological Research, 20(4):
355-364.
Sharma, D. K., Sharma, I. M. and Sharma, J.
P., 1997, Effect of different
dates of planting on fruit yield
and losses caused by fruit borer
and different diseases in tomato
(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Cv. Roma. Indian Journal Hill
Farming,10 (1-2): 63-66.
Sing, D. and Narang, D. D., 1990, Control
of tomato fruit borer Heliothis
armigera Hubner with synthetic
pyrethroids. Indian Journal of
Entomology, 52(4): 534-540.
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Sing, H.,1984, Household and kitchen
garden pests- principal and
practices. Kalyani publishers.
India.pp. 198-210.
Tripathy, M. K., Kumar, R. and Singh, H.
N., 1999, Host range and
population dynamics of
Helicoverpa armigera Hübn. in
eastern Uttar Pradesh. Journal of
Applied Zoological Research
10: 22-24.
Walker, G. P. and Cameron, P. J., 1990,
Pheromone trapping and field
scouting for tomato fruit worm
in tomatoes and sweet corn.
Proceeding of the forty-third
New Zealand Weed and pest
Control Conference.pp.17-20.
95
 Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97

Table 1: Per cent bored tomato fruits due to H. armigera in relation to the time of sowing

SMW Incidence of bored fruits (%) in relation to sowing periods

Early Middle Late Very late
(44 SMW) (46 SMW) (48 SMW) (50 SMW)
7 2.15(1.63) # - - -
8 4.61(2.26) - - -
9 7.23(2.78) 6.78(2.70) - -
10 6.11(2.57) 7.45(2.82) - -
11 9.72(3.20) 9.12(3.10) 7.67(2.86) -
12 13.21(3.70) 10.12(3.26) 8.45(2.93) -
13 13.35(3.76) 9.72(3.20) 7.56(2.84) 8.56(3.01)
14 11.47(3.46) 11.45(3.46) 13.34(3.72) 9.21(3.12)
15 9.56(3.17) 17.56(4.25) 21.11(4.65) 10.11(3.26)
16 7.23(2.78) 18.45(4.35) 13.05(3.68) 24.43(4.99)
17 6.34(2.62) 13.11(3.69) 13.52(3.74) 13.92(3.79)
18 2.01(1.58) 10.42(3.30) 9.67(3.19) 9.51(3.16)
19 - 6.70(2.68) 8.91(3.07) 8.45(2.99)
20 - 3.14(1.57) 7.56(2.84) 7.85(2.89)
21 - - 7.44(2.63) 7.35(2.80)
22 - - 2.01(1.58) 7.25(2.78)
23 - - - 6.21(2.59)
24 - 4.61(2.26)
(-): No crop period
#
Figures in the parentheses are square root transformed values

Table 2: Correlation coefficient of borer larval numbers with climatic factors

Climatic parameters Correlation in consideration of time of sowing

early middle late very late
(44SMW) (46 SMW) (48 SMW) (50 SMW)
Maximum temperature (Tmax) -0.781* 0.655* 0.788* 0.871*
Minimum temperature (Tmin) -0.772* 0.721* 0.821* 0.932*
Temperature gradient (Tgr) -0.124 0.652* 0.734* 0.821*
Average temperature (Tavg) 0.713* 0.742* 0.812* 0.911*
Maximum humidity(RHmax) -0.824* -0.571* 0.722* 0.873*
Minimum humidity (RHmin) -0.166 0.656* 0.756* 0.832*
Humidity gradient (RHgr) -0.352 -0.796* -0.734* -0.653*
Average humidity (RHavg) -0.609* 0.355 0.766* 0.851*
Sunshine hours / day(Shr) -0566* -0523 -0781* -0663*
Rainfall (Rfall) -0611* -0.512* -0732* -0811*
Rainy days (Rdays) -0602* -0710* -0621* -0507*
*Significant at 5% level

96
 Current Biotica 5(1) : 91-97

Fig.1: Incidence of fruit borer population in relation to standard meteorological weeks

(SMWs) in consideration of all the time slots of cultivation in average

[MS received: 03-02-2011;

MS accepted: 21-05-2011]

97

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