Integrated management of Bemisia tabaci and tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomatoes in Georgia

Bemisia tabaci-transmitted Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) has had sporatic, but devastating effects where it occurs in commercial tomato production since 2001. The distribution across Georgia has been highly scattered, but with the recent trend toward increased annual temperatures this traditionally more tropical pest problem could become widespread throughout the State. Field evaluations of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for this pest problem is critical for economically viable tomato production in southern states into the future. The most efficient IPM strategy identified in this study was a combination of TYLCV-resistant cultivars, metallic reflective mulch and specific chemical treatments. Possible underlying biological mechanisms for TYLCV epidemics and their mitigation in the Southeast are discussed.