CONTROL OF BIRD DAMAGE IN TOMATOES IN BARBADOS

Loss of tomatoes by bird damage in Barbados frequently averages over fifty percent of mature fruit. Various methods have been tried to reduce this damage, including bird scares and nyLon netting covers. More recently an experiment has been done to test the effectiveness of bagging the entireplant with plastic. The control of insect pests in this system was less efficient than in "open" plants. The seasonal effects of fungal attacks and blossom end rot need further study in this system, as does the behaviour of different varieties