ABSTRACT
There is probably no aspect of tomato production that troubles growers more than their need to identify and control plant diseases and insect pests (Johnson, 2002a). Most of the common pests that affect the tomato plant are well known, although new diseases appear from time to time, such as the most recent field tomato virus disease, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). For disease control, there are resistant cultivars and varieties being introduced almost every year, mainly to combat newly observed diseases such as TYLCV. Growers must remain up to date on control measures and new chemicals available for combating these pests. Both state (mainly agricultural extension service publications) and company bulletins list procedures and chemicals that can be used in both the field and greenhouse to control diseases and insects. An excellent review article by Peckenpaugh (2003) covers the topics of prevention and insect and disease (bacteria and virus) control procedures. Included is a list of online pest and disease control websites for aphids, mites, thrips, and whitefly, as well as biological control and integrated pest management (IPM) procedures. Procedures designed to prevent the occurrence of pest problems are being continuously promulgated and nonchemical pest control procedures are attracting greater attention as consumers look for pesticide-free tomato fruit in the marketplace.
