Manipulating integrated pest management technique by using marigold intercropping and foliar vegetable extracts in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) crop

Abstract

Tomato is one of the global crops essential for nutritional security. In Pakistan tomato cultivation is threaten by pest infestation including aphids, whitefly, lepidopteran, leaf minors, mealy bug, red spider mites and nematodes. These pests are severely destroying the crop. This research study was conducted to find out the efficiency of two bio-friendly techniques to reduce pest pressure in tomato c.v anna in an eco-friendly way, and to check the efficiency of vegetable extract in increasing crop yield. Tomato plants were planted in four blocks. In first block, tomato were planted alone as a control (T0), in 2^nd  block, marigold was planted with tomato as a companion crop (T1), in 3^rd  block, tomato plants were sprayed with vegetable extract (6 g l^-1) (T2) and in 4^th  block, tomato plants were planted with marigold in combination with foliar application of vegetable extract (6 g l^-1) (T3). Tomato fruits were harvested at maturity, and they were analyzed. Plant samples in control block showed least performance for all parameters especially in fruit yield and pest incidence. Similarly, mealy bug count and white fly was high in control block as compared to other blocks. Marigold intercropped block received foliar application of vegetable extract have good number of fruits, flowers with less damaged fruits and leaves were recorded. © 2025 The Author(s)