Field evaluation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties for resistance to tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) in southwestern Nigeria

This appraisal of tomato varieties against tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) was conducted in replicated field trials during the late seasons of 2020 and 2021. The 20 tomato varieties and accessions comprised: Alausa Long, Anaya F1, Ibadan Local, Kelvin F1, Mona F1, NGB00696, NGB00713, NGB00722, NGB00723, NGB00724, NGB00725, NGB00737, Panther-17, Rio Grande, Rodeo-62 F1, Roma Savanna, Roma VF (Susceptible check), Tima, Tropimech and UC82B. Anaya F1, Rio Grande, Mona F1, NGB00724 and UC82B had the lowest number of larvae/plant (0.04, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07) over the 2 years. Anaya F1, Mona F1 and NGB00725 showed the lowest mean percentage of fruit infestation (1.0, 4.7 and 13.1%), respectively. During the first year, Alausa Long, Mona F1 and Kelvin F1 had the highest fruit yields (30.7, 30.2 and 29.4 kg/ha, respectively), while Anaya F1, NGB00725 and Rio Grande had the highest yields (27.6, 16.4 and 15.9 kg/ha, respectively) during the second year. The correlations between pericarp thickness and both number of larvae and mean percentage of fruit damage (r = -0.827, -0.802, respectively) were negative and significant. It was observed during the study that none of the varieties/accessions was free from the Helicoverpa armigera attack. However, Anaya F1, Mona F1 and NGB00724 performed better with minimal Helicoverpa armigera larval infestation and had higher yields.