Managements of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci L. (Tysanoptera: Thripidae) to Enhance Bulb Yield of Onion in Toke Kutaye District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is the most common pest of onion crops, causing farmers significant losses, and its control has been a key challenge in pest management efforts. The objective of this study was to integrate the management of onion thrips to enhance bulb yield of onion and assess various synthetic chemical pesticides to control onion thrips in the laboratory and farmer’s field during 2022/2023 at Guder area Toke Kutaye District in the main cropping seasons. In the present study, the laboratory result revealed that Heroplus120% SC, Rapid 72% EC, and Heroplus 120 %SC+ Lemon Soap detergent (LSD) were not significantly different from the standard check (Perfecto 175 % SC). The field study showed that Rapid 72% EC+ LSD and Rapid 72% EC were the maximum mortality followed by LSD + plus Cultural whereas Cultural control methods gave the minimum mortality. The study found that the pesticides mentioned above were quite efficient in reducing onion thrips, it should be recommended to the farmer community for using IPM, which showed the best performance in onion thrips management and gave high net benefit. population, as were insecticide combinations. Therefore, Rapid 72 EC with LSD, Rapid 72 EC alone, and Lemon Soap detergent with cultural control methods are efficient for onion crop producers to control onion thrips and increase yields.