~ 241 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(3): 241-246 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2017; 5(3): 241-246 © 2017 JEZS Received: 06-03-2017 Accepted: 07-04-2017 Bithika Phukan Jr. Scientist, Regional, Agricultural Research Station, Karimganj 788710, Assam, India Sahidur Rahman Professor, Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat 785013, Assam, India Kapil Kumar Bhuyan Department of Tea Husbandry and Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat 785 013, Assam, India Correspondence Bithika Phukan Jr. Scientist, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Karimganj 788710, Assam, India Effects of botanicals and acaricides on management of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) in tomato Bithika Phukan, Sahidur Rahman and Kapil Kumar Bhuyan Abstract An investigation on “Effects of botanicals and acaricides on management of Tetranychus urticae (koch) in Tomato” was carried out under polyhouse and experimental garden of Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat during 2012 and 2013. Evaluation of acaricides viz., profenofos 50EC (250g a.i./ha) and spiromesifen 240 SL (80g a.i./ha) and botanicals viz., bionol (10ml/l), pestoneem (3ml/l and 5ml/l) and eliminix (0.2%,0.3% and 0.4%) were found effective. Spiromesifen 240 SL gave the maximum reduction of 100% in the 7 th day after first and second spraying during 2012 and 2013 and was at par with profenofos 50 EC (250g ai/ha) and eliminix (0.4%). However, eliminix (0.2%) was found to be the less effective treatment which resulted only in 50.99 and 43.73 after 7 th day of treatment during 2012 and 2013 respectively. All the other treatments were at par in reduction of mites. Economics of the treatment showed that Spiromesifen 240 SL gave the maximum benefit: cost ratio of 1.13 in 2012 and 1.62 in 2013 respectively. Keywords: Tetranychus urticae, management, tomato 1. Introduction Mites are the most diverse representatives of ancient lineage in phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Chelicereta, class Arachnida and subclass Acari [12] . Their body plan is strikingly different to that of other arthropods in not having a separate head, instead an anterior region, the cephalothorax that combines the functions of sensing, feeding and locomotion [12] . Also a pair of pincer like mouthparts are present called as chelicerae. A remarkable diversity in acarine morphology is reflected in the variety of ecological and behavioural patterns that mites have adopted [4] . Thus the mites can inhabit either in soil, litter, water or plants. Tomato is an important vegetable crop in India and is considered to have originated in Peru and South America [3] . It is known as protective food both for its nutritive value and wide spread cultivation. It is one of the most important vegetable crops cultivated for its fleshy fruits and is considered as important commercial and dietary vegetable crop [3] . As the tomato is widely adaptable and versatile, it is grown throughout the world either in outdoors or indoors. In India, total production of tomato is about 17,874’000 MT from an area of 884 ’000 ha and the largest producer state is Karnataka with a production of 1916.6 ’000 MT from an area of 57.80’000ha [3] . In Assam, tomato is grown in an area of 17.29’ 000ha, production is 402.49’000 MT [3] . The crop has great production potential but there are some limiting factors which are responsible for its low productivity and arthropod pest is one of them [2] . Spider mites are assuming the status of serious pest on many crops of which tomato suffers heavily due to spider mite attack [2] . Under protected condition as well as field grown tomato, two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, appears as serious pest causing remarkable damage to the crop mostly at late flowering or fruiting stage [1] . Tetranychids are important group of phytophagous mites attacking most of the plants [12] . The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is responsible for significant yield losses in many horticultural, ornamental and agricultural crops [13] . It is also a major concern in vegetables causing heavy damage leading to 7-48% yield losses [11] . Under outbreak conditions, as the chemical control is considered as the first line of defence, it is imperative to evaluate different acaricides and botanicals which are ecosafe, economic and very much effective at low application rate [11] . So, keeping in view the above facts, the present investigation “Effects of botanicals and acaricides on management of Tetranychus urticae (koch) in Tomato” was carried out.