Comparison of efficiency and selectivity of three bio-insecticides for the protection of tomatoes in Burkina Faso

The search for less toxic products and alternative methods is a need to elaborate integrated control strategies for growing tomatoes in Burkina Faso to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticides. A trail was carried out in the village of Koula, from December 2015 to March 2016, to assess the effectivveness and action spectrum of biopesticides on several key pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Burkina Faso, namely two Lepidoptera caterpillars (Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) and Utetheisa pulchella L.) and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci (Genn.)). The effectiveness of the three products already sold in the country has been evaluated: Bio K 16 (1.5 kg/ha), H-N (3 L/ha) and PiOL (3 L/ha). In the aim to cover the spectrum of pests, and thus coming closer to integrated Pest Management practical conditions, eache biopesticides has been applied in association with abamectine, an insecticide-acaricide (ALCARIUS 18 EC, 1 L/ha). In general, all treatments resulted in significant protection of the tomato fruit against caterpillars of moths, but had no effect on Bemisia tabaci. The combination Bacillus thuringiensis-abamectine hasprovided both the best protection of the fruits and the highest yield (19.6 T/ha). This combination could be recommended as part of IPM in tomato cultivation.