Tuta absoluta is threatening the horticulture.

By Farai Mabeza

ZIMBABWE’S horticulture industry is struggling to contain a pest known as Tuta absoluta, about a year after it was first detected in the country.
Tuta absoluta originated from South America and can breed between 10 and 12 generations a year. Each female can lay 250 to 300 eggs in its life time.
This pest crosses borders easily and is devastating tomato production both in protected and open fields. Tuta absoluta infestation has also been reported in potatoes, aubergines and common beans in other countries. It also attacks eggplants and sweet peppers.
Tuta absoluta is a very challenging pest to control. Effectiveness of chemical control is limited due to the nature of the insect’s damage as well as its ability to rapidly develop insecticide resistant strains.
The use of chemicals is still largely under development and will not combat this pest effectively and in a cost effective way.
The pest has been severe in Marondera district and has affected horticulture production in other regions.
A horticultural crop scientist with the University of Zimbabwe, Maria Gross, told TheFinancial Gazette the pest was a big threat to the industry and has no effective control.
“It is quite devastating on the horticultural crops, especially tomatoes so it’s a danger to the horticulture industry and the problem is that we have been trying to use a number of chemicals to control it but the chemicals are not being effective because of the nature of its life cycle.
“During part of its life cycle it burrows into tomatoes or into the fruits so the chemicals are not being effective and it is also building up resistance quite quickly,” she said.
The University of Zimbabwe is currently conducting trials with biocides to see if the use of herbs can help.
“It’s work which is still in progress since this is a fairly new pest which is wreaking a lot of havoc on the horticultural scene. It was first seen towards the end of last year but many of the farmers did not take notice. Then it grew in population so it is a persistent and prevalent crop pest,” Gross said.
Farmers said locally available chemicals were costly, despite being ineffective.
They asked the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) to help import traps from Zambia.
“It would help farmers if ZFU could us import traps from Zambia because locally available chemicals cost above $100 a litre,” said Douglas Muziri, a horticulture producer.
An Agritex extension officer in Marondera district, Juliet Chikukutu, told experts on a field trip in the area that the damage on farmers’ produce had been dire.
“This pest has affected the farmers badly as it affects all stages and can reduce a farmer’s yield to zero.
“Some farmers have tried the traps but they are not very effective. The pest has affected the whole of Marondera district,” Chikukutu said.
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