By Maryann Gathiuni  |   Writer

1. TUTA ABSOLUTA / TUTA MOTH

Tuta absoluta is an extremely damaging insect pest of tomato plants and fruit that has also been observed to infest other Solanaceae plants.  Tuta absoluta has just been identified as a severe danger to the Kenyan tomato crop.

Tuta absoluta is a difficult pest to eradicate. Chemical control is ineffective due to the nature of the insect's harm and its rapid capacity to generate insecticide-resistant variants. However, with a variety of molecules to alternate, Tuta absoluta is no longer a pain to farmers.

RECOMMENDATION: EMMARON 30SC, FENARI 120SC, T-KAB 300WG, BENOCARB 100SC, ARAGON 220ZC.

2. BLIGHT

Tomato blight is a disease that causes rotting of the foliage and fruit of tomatoes. It is most common in warm (early blight) and wet conditions (late blight). Blight can cause practically entire output loss in specific seasons, especially in susceptible tomato cultivars grown outdoors.

RECOMMENDATION: ORIZOLE 250EC, MASTA GOLD 720WG, KENTHANE 800WP, I-PERION 50WP, TAJIRI 720WP, TOMGOLD 440SC.

3. BLOSSOM END ROT

The lack of calcium in the fruits causes blossom end rot. Calcium deficit lowers cell membrane permeability, resulting in cell swelling, leakage, and membrane structure breakdown. There is also a decrease in new cell proliferation. This results in the distinctive dark, sunken spots.

To protect tomatoes from calcium deficiency, CABOZINC SC is highly recommended.

4. FUSARIUM WILT

Fusarium wilt is one of the most serious tomato diseases in Kenya. Fusarium wilt in tomatoes is caused by a soil-borne fungus that can live continually without a host. A significant number of incidents are related to diseased tomato debris left in the soil. The lower leaves of an infected tomato will begin to yellow.

To control Fusarium wilt effectively soil drenching is advised.

RECOMMENDATION: FOSCAP TOP 250ME.

5. SUCKING PESTS

Tomato leaves, flowers, and fruit are consumed by sucking bugs. Feeding can cause leaf deformation and decreased fruit set. Sucking pests include aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, whitefly, flies, bugs, and mites.

Control of these pests is vital to avoid complete loss of the plant.

The following products are the most recommended for control: ARAGON 220ZC, ACETAK TOP 700WG, and VENDEX 50EC.