Economic impact of pests on tomato production in southern and central Benin: The cases of Helicoverpa armigera, Tuta absoluta, Tetranychus evansi, and root-knot nematodes
1 Agricultural Economics, National University of Agriculture, School of Agribusiness and Agricultural Policies, 05 BP 774 Cotonou, Benin. Nationality: Beninese.
2 Laboratory of Rural Economics and Social Sciences for Sustainable Development (LERSSoDD), National University of Agriculture, 05 BP 774 Cotonou, Benin. Nationality: Beninese.
3 Crop Protection, Crop Protection Laboratory, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin. 01 BP 884 Cotonou, Benin. Nationality: Beninese.
4 Agricultural Economics, University of Parakou, Faculty of Agronomy, Laboratory of Analysis and Research on Economic and Social Dynamics (LARDES), BP 123 Parakou, Benin. Nationality: Beninese.
5 Applied Ecology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin. Nationality: Beninese.
Research Article
International Journal of Life Science Research Archive, 2024, 06(01), 069–079.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijlsra.2024.6.1.0027
Publication history:
Received on 10 December 2023; revised on 06 February 2024; accepted on 09 February 2024
Abstract:
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), the most cultivated and consumed fruit vegetable in Benin, is subjected to parasitic attacks reducing its productivity. This study assesses the economic impacts of Helicoverpa armigera, Tuta absoluta, Tetranychus evansi and root-knot nematodes. One hundred and forty-four (144) focus group sessions, supported by individual interviews with 60 farmers were conducted from August 24 to 29, 2020, and from September 7 to 12, 2020 in eighteen (18) Districts in southern and central Benin. The results indicated that growers recognize different pests affecting tomato farming, especially by symptoms on it fruit, leaves, stem and root system. Helicoverpa armigera has the highest gross output reduction rate for both severe (78.3%) and moderate (38%) attacks. This reduction corresponds to losses of 104.62 kg and 50.75 kg on a harvest of 133.62 kg per plank of 1.2m x 13m (i.e. 15.6 m²), equivalent to average economic impacts of 37,052.92 F CFA and 17,973.96 F CFA respectively for severe and moderate attacks. Helicoverpa armigera is the main pest of tomato against which the development of control technologies appears more relevant.
Keywords:
Tomato, pests; Economic impacts; Ecological management; Perception; Beni
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