American Research Journal of Agriculture

Tomato crop is widely cultivated in Nigeria. It is prone to heavy infestation by several insect pest species which limit its production. Field experiments were conducted at Gombe State Agricultural Development trial farm, Kwadon, Gombe State in 2012 and 2013 rainy seasons. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four improved tomato varieties and one local variety as treatments replicated four times. Different insect pest species were counted and recorded, plant height, mean number of branches, fruits, mean number of holes, damaged and undamaged fruits were recorded. The results indicated that improved tomato varieties Roma VFN, UTC, Leventis, and Ronita (TOM) were less susceptible to insect pest species infestations while local tomato variety was more susceptible to the pests. Improved tomato varieties used for the study had less insect pest species, produced taller plants, more branches and fruits compared to the local variety. The result further showed that improved tomato varieties were less susceptible to Helicoverpaarmigera damage, hence the lower mean number of holes, damaged fruits and higher undamaged fruits compared to the local tomato variety which had higher mean number of holes, damaged fruits and lower undamaged fruits per plant. The use of improved varieties by poor resource tomato farmers will increase tomato production in Nigeria. Tomato farmers in the study area should be advised to adopt the use of improved tomato varieties for cultivation.