Control of Greenhouse Whiteflies That Are Vectors Of Plant Viruses Using Noise In Form Of Acoustic Sound In Egerton University, Njoro Kenya

Abstract

White flies are vectors of plant pathogenic microorganisms which lead to low yields all over the world. Although there are a wide range of chemicals being used today to control white flies, the flies have developed resistance to them. Tomato seedlings were raised in nurseries in triplicate. Seven modified green houses were made using two cartons that were cat to give supporting frames that gave support to polythene papers. Twelve tomato seedlings were placed in each modified greenhouse. Two hundred white flies were introduced into each modified green house. A noisy radio was placed in six of the modified greenhouse while the seventh greenhouse acted as a control. The number of eggs lied and those that subsequently hatched were determined for 2 months. The data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software. There was no significant difference in the germination percent between the plots (F=0.250803859 P=0.782154004). There was a significant difference between the number of eggs laid in the experimental greenhouses and the control greenhouse (P=0.040140971). There was a significant difference between the number of eggs that hatched in the experimental greenhouses and the control greenhouse (P=0.017298).Tomato seedlings were raised in the nursery for 6 weeks. Acoustic vibrations produced by the radio affected the number of eggs laid by the white flies and subsequently their hatching. Use of Acoustic noise as a way of controlling whiteflies is highly recommended to both small scale and large scale farmers all over the world