Calcium and potassium silicates impact life table parameters of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and improve field performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
摘要
Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major pest of tomato worldwide, causing severe leaf and fruit damage and significant yield losses. This study evaluated the effects of calcium and potassium silicates on the biology of T. absoluta and tomato productivity under field conditions. Applications of both silicates significantly prolonged immature development to 26.44 and 28.37 days for potassium and calcium silicates, respectively, compared with 22.79 days in the control. The oviposition period decreased to 9.56 and 8.04 days, and fecundity declined to 106.52 and 63.28 eggs, compared with 196.96 eggs in the control. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) dropped to 0.126 day−1 (potassium) and 0.105 day−1 (calcium) versus 0.159 day−1 in the control, while the net reproductive rate (Ro) decreased from 118.17 to 63.91 and 35.15, respectively. Both treatments reduced leaf mines, increased fruit weight, and enhanced yield to 18.73 t/ha (potassium) and 23.61 t/ha (calcium), compared with 13.26 t/ha in the control. Postharvest losses were minimized, with calcium silicate showing the lowest weight loss (5.39%) and decay rate (6.77%) after 14 days. These findings demonstrate that calcium and potassium silicates effectively suppress T. absoluta populations while improving tomato yield and storability, highlighting their potential for integration into sustainable pest management programs.