Effect of pruning and trellising of tomatoes on red spider mite incidence and crop yield in Zimbabwe

Red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi Baker & Prichard, is a relatively new pest of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Africa, accidentally introduced into southern Africa around 1980. Since then, the species has spread and was recorded for the first time in Kenya in 2001. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), together with National Research Institutions of eastern and southern Africa, are developing integrated control methods for this new pest. The effects of pruning and trellising on red spider mite incidence and control, as well as damage and yield of tomatoes were investigated in two important tomato production areas of Zimbabwe (Mutoko and Muzarabani). The practices, considered singly or combined, had no direct effect on initial infestation. Damage levels and population development became apparent in the later crop stages at Mutoko, while at Muzarabani, mite population levels remained low throughout the season, and showed no significant (