EFFECT OF N P K AND THEIR COMBINATIONS AS SOIL FERTILIZERS ON TOMATO INFESTATION WITH CERTAIN INSECTS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The effect of the major plant nutrients, NPK and their combina­tions on tomato infestation caused by Myzus persicae Sulz., and Thrips tabaci Lind., was studied in field experiments in Etay El-Baroud Agricultu­ral Research Station, El Beheira Governorate. An obvious increase of these pests was observed on plants treated with superphosphate ( 16% P2 05, 300 kg/f) either alone or in mixtures with potasisum sulfate (48% K20, 100kg/f) and ammonium sulfate (21%, N,300 kg/f). The corresponding levels of infestation with potassium sulfate and ammoni­um sulfate whether alone or in mixtures were less pronounced. The use of P fertilizer had improved the development of the to­mato plants , thus encouraging the aphids and thrips migration and sub­sequently reducing leaf deformation.