author(s)
Srinivas G and Sushil Kumr

abstract
The prevalence of the important tomato (cv. GT 2) pests, which include the fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), was investigated in both conventional and organic tomato farming systems at Navsari Agricultural University in Gujarat from 2018 to 2020. Fruit damage was observed at the fruiting stage (21.56 & 18.27%), as evidenced by the higher populations of shoot and fruit borer (1.75 & 1.51). Significant and positive correlations between pest population and fruit damage with crop stage were found (r' = 0.705 & 0.694 and r' = 0.778 & 0.777), suggesting advancement in crop stage (vegetative to flowering to fruiting stage) led to increased pest population and damage. Highest whitefly population was noticed at flowering stage (2.19 & 3.10/leaf) in both the farming methods. Correlation of whitefly with crop stages in farming systems was significant and positive (r’ = 0.552 & 0.508) implying advancement in crop growth increased whitefly population. Lastly, the highest Red spider mite population was noticed at fruiting stage (23.19 & 29.53/2 cm2 leaf area) in both the farming systems. Correlation of mite population with crop stages was positive and significant (r’ = 0.814 & 0.839) implying advancement in crop stage led to an increase in mite population in both the farming systems.