Evaluation of ten tomato cultivars for resistance against tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under field infestation conditions

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important pests of tomato in many parts of the world. The objective of this work was to evaluate the damage of T. absoluta on ten tomato cultivars under field conditions. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications. The evaluated characteristics were leaflet damage, leaf damage and overall plant damage at 20, 40 and 60 days after infestation, and also trichome density on the leaves and stems. In addition, number of mines per leaf, holes on the stem and holes per fruit were assessed at final sampling date. Significant differences were detected among the cultivars in the variables studied. The cultivars Raha, Quintini and ES9090F1 were classified as resistant by cluster analysis. In addition, the high density of leaf trichomes in cultivars Raha and Quintini would be possible reasons of resistance to T. absoluta. These cultivars are promising for use in plant breeding programs aim to control T. absoluta.