Safeguarding Tomato Cultivation: Challenges and Integrated Pest Management Strategies in North India

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), crucial for global nutritional security, faces pests and diseases, leading to excessive use of chemical pesticides by farmers due to climate variability and cropping patterns.Integrated pest management (IPM) practices can help reduce over-reliance on pesticides and align with Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) standards. Understanding the distribution, prevalence, and factors influencing insect pest severity is crucial for developing tailored management strategies. IPM is becoming an emerging sustainable approach to pest management, utilizing viable strategies such as biological control, cultural practices, host plant resistance, and mechanical/physical control measures; however, challenges like limited farmer knowledge and resources hinder widespread adoption. Climate change and extreme weather events are causing significant impacts on crop production and agricultural pests, particularly in small-scale farms. These changes can expand insect range, increase overwintering survival, and increase the risk of invasive species and diseases. Implementing IPM in small-scale production requires adapting to different scales, identifying potential approaches, and addressing knowledge gaps. Integrated approaches, intercropping, cover cropping, and legume crop rotation are essential for developing agroecosystems and minimizing damage. Opportunities lie in digital technologies, precision agriculture, biotechnological innovations, and climate-resilient strategies. Strengthened farmer training, public-private collaborations, and informed decisionmaking are essential for IPMa's success.