Thrips Management on Tomaotes and Peppers

In Georgia, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus reduces pepper yields by an estimated 1-5 percent annually. A UGA entomologist decided to demonstrate the impact of TSWV-resistant tomatoes and peppers on yields in the presence of high levels of thrips vectors of TSWV. Plants were monitored for TSWV symptoms and the presence of thrips vectors. Yield and fruit quality were evaluated for the impact of TSWV on fruit quality. His results clearly indicate that some cultivars are much more tolerant to TSWV under field conditions and provide a viable means of managing this serious pest problem in commercial production systems.