UV-ABSORBING PLASTIC FILMS FOR THE CONTROL OF BEMISIA TABACI (GENNADIUS) AND TOMATO YELLOW LEAF CURL DISEASE (TYLCD) IN PROTECTED CULTIVATIONS IN SICILY (SOUTH ITALY)

Physical management of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), the vector of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), has been widely applied in Sicily (South Italy) so far, through the application of insect-proof screens to greenhouse openings.
Alternative techniques have been explored, such as the application of photoselective films as greenhouse plastic covers.
In particular, various UV-absorbing plastic films (including also a locally produced one) have been compared to UV-unabsorbing plastic films and insect-proof screens.
Under all tested UV-absorbing films, the whitefly presence and the consequent TYLCD spreading have been significantly low, ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 adults/sampled leaf (versus 1-5 adults/sampled leaf, under conventional plastic covers) and from 0 to 25% of virus incidence (versus 4-70%, in the tests). Good performances have been shown by the film produced in Sicily.
Data obtained up to now in Sicily confirm the physical validity of UV-absorbing films, stating also how they fit properly within strategies of integrated control of pests and viruses in protected cultivations.

International Symposium on Greenhouse Cooling

C. Rapisarda, G. Tropea, G. Cascone, R. Mazzarella, A. Colombo, T. Serges

protected tomato crops, whiteflies, virus vectors, physical control, Italy

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.719.69