About this Research Topic
This Research Topic focuses on the integrated and sustainable management of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a major pest threatening global tomato production. Tuta absoluta has recently emerged as a devastating invasive species, posing severe risk to both cultivated and wild tomato species, and other Solanaceous crops. Understanding the interactions between the pest and its environment is critical for developing sustainable management strategies to protect tomato crops, which is the main host plant of the pest.
Our collection investigates the interactions between T. absoluta, tomato host plants, and various control methods, including Biocontrol using various natural enemies. Several natural enemies have been evaluated for their efficacy in reducing T. absoluta populations and mitigating plant damage. Additionally, the research explores the effectiveness of chemical control methods, cultural practices, and emerging biotechnological innovations in managing T. absoluta.
We seek to elucidate how the combined and individual application of these control strategies—biocontrol, chemical, and cultural—affects the pest's behavior, population dynamics, and the subsequent impact on tomato plant health throughout the growth period. Furthermore, it examines the role of different environmental factors, including climate, in influencing the pest's management.
We will also explore the susceptibility of various tomato cultivars to T. absoluta infestation, aiming to identify genetic or physiological traits that confer resistance or susceptibility. In addition to biocontrol, the study investigates environmentally friendly control methods, such as the use of pest-resistant cultivars, chemical alternatives, and cultural practices like crop rotation and trap crops. It also considers the sociopolitical and economic factors that affect the adoption of sustainable pest management strategies.
To deepen our understanding of these plant-pest interactions and control strategies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The effects of biocontrol agents on T. absoluta populations and their interactions with tomato plants.
- The integration of biocontrol, chemical, and cultural control methods in sustainable T. absoluta management (IPM).
- The effectiveness and impact of insecticides, resistance management strategies, and eco-friendly chemical alternatives.
- The resistance mechanisms of different tomato cultivars to T. absoluta and the implications for plant health.
- The role of cultural practices such as crop rotation and trap crops in reducing T. absoluta populations.
- The potential of biotechnological innovations, including genetic engineering and pheromone-based trapping, for sustainable pest control.
- Insights into the molecular pathways, such as the insulin signaling pathway, that influence T. absoluta development and its interaction with tomato plants.
- The effects of climate change on T. absoluta distribution and the effectiveness of control methods.
- Sociopolitical and economic considerations in the adoption of sustainable T. absoluta management practices.
Our collection investigates the interactions between T. absoluta, tomato host plants, and various control methods, including Biocontrol using various natural enemies. Several natural enemies have been evaluated for their efficacy in reducing T. absoluta populations and mitigating plant damage. Additionally, the research explores the effectiveness of chemical control methods, cultural practices, and emerging biotechnological innovations in managing T. absoluta.
We seek to elucidate how the combined and individual application of these control strategies—biocontrol, chemical, and cultural—affects the pest's behavior, population dynamics, and the subsequent impact on tomato plant health throughout the growth period. Furthermore, it examines the role of different environmental factors, including climate, in influencing the pest's management.
We will also explore the susceptibility of various tomato cultivars to T. absoluta infestation, aiming to identify genetic or physiological traits that confer resistance or susceptibility. In addition to biocontrol, the study investigates environmentally friendly control methods, such as the use of pest-resistant cultivars, chemical alternatives, and cultural practices like crop rotation and trap crops. It also considers the sociopolitical and economic factors that affect the adoption of sustainable pest management strategies.
To deepen our understanding of these plant-pest interactions and control strategies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The effects of biocontrol agents on T. absoluta populations and their interactions with tomato plants.
- The integration of biocontrol, chemical, and cultural control methods in sustainable T. absoluta management (IPM).
- The effectiveness and impact of insecticides, resistance management strategies, and eco-friendly chemical alternatives.
- The resistance mechanisms of different tomato cultivars to T. absoluta and the implications for plant health.
- The role of cultural practices such as crop rotation and trap crops in reducing T. absoluta populations.
- The potential of biotechnological innovations, including genetic engineering and pheromone-based trapping, for sustainable pest control.
- Insights into the molecular pathways, such as the insulin signaling pathway, that influence T. absoluta development and its interaction with tomato plants.
- The effects of climate change on T. absoluta distribution and the effectiveness of control methods.
- Sociopolitical and economic considerations in the adoption of sustainable T. absoluta management practices.
Keywords: tuta absoluta, biocontrol efficacy, tomato crops, hymenoptera eulophidae, plant-pest interactions
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
