LAUSR

Abstract The effect of four vermicomposts, obtained from different organic sources (pistachio waste [PWV], date waste [DWV], cattle manure waste [CMV], and food waste [FWV]), as well as two chemical fertilizers (complete fertilizer [CF] and NPK fertilizer [NPK]) on some life history traits of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was investigated in a series of choice and not choice experiments. In a choice experiment, adult whiteflies exhibited significantly lower preference for settling and oviposition on plants treated with vermicomposts than those in control, CF, and NPK groups (P < 0.01), with better results were observed in PWV group. In no choice experiment, adult whiteflies laid significantly fewer eggs in PWV group in comparison with control, CF, and NPK groups (P < 0.01); other treatments had intermediary values. Fertilization had a significant effect on the preadult development time of sweetpotato whitefly, with the longest development times were recorded for plants treated with PWV (24.65 d) and FWV (22.04 d), respectively. The preadult mortality of sweetpotato whitefly increased significantly following fertilization, with the greatest mortal effects were observed in PWV (54.11%) and DWV (44.68%) groups, respectively. Plants fertilized with PWV had significantly higher phenolic content (10 mg/ml) than control (BAGA; 6.08 mg/ml), while those in CMV group exhibited intermediary value (7.28 mg/ml). Altogether, results of this study reveal both antixenosis (nonpreference) and antibiosis (decreased survival and prolonged development time) resistance of tomato plants mediated by vermicomposts. Particularly, plants treated with PWV obtained the best results in terms of both growth and resistance to sweetpotato whitefly.