Specialised Pheromone and Lure Application Technology (SPLAT-Tuta): Novel Approach for the Management of Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyr.)

The second most popular and widely cultivated vegetable in the world after potatoes is the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum M.). Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the major invasive pests of tomato which is a destructive pest of tomato in field as well as greenhouse condition. Novel SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology) for Tuta absoluta is a proprietary base matrix formulation of biologically inert materials used to control the release of semiochemicals and/or odors with or without pesticides. To check the efficiency of SPLAT technique three treatments were taken. When comparing the SPLAT field and conventional farmers practices field, SPLAT applied field (32.80 tonnes per ha) performed far superior than conventional field (21.50 tonnes per ha) in respective of leaf minor infestation and yield. Specialised Pheromone and Lure Application Technology (SPLAT) adoption favours sustainable pest management and reduces plant protection cost to the farmers.