Impact of Sweet Potato Whitefly Infestation on Yield and Quality of Cantaloupe

Abstract

A range of population levels of sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius was evaluated in three field experiments allowing measurement of the effect of whitefly numbers on melon quality and yield. An increase in total numbers of immature whitefly was associated with significant declines in harvested melon weight, a decline in number of boxes harvested, a decrease in fruit size, a decrease in percent sugars, and an increase in sooty mold. Regression analysis of individual whitefly life stages with yield parameters indicated that adult number was a more precise parameter and higher R2 values were obtained with increased range of whitefly population densities. Adults were sampled at the third leaf node in both locations. Nymph samples were taken at varying nodes from the base of the plant. Estimates of the mean adult whitefly density resulting in 5% and 15 % dollar yield loss were 3 and 10 adults per leaf Estimates of the mean total nymph density resulting in 5% and 15% dollar yield loss 0.5 and 2 (AZ) nymphs per cm² of leaf area, respectively.