Integrated management of Tuta absoluta in tomato cultivation in southern Angola: a sustainable approach

The tomato borer ( Tuta absoluta ) is a highly destructive pest of tomato crops, causing losses exceeding 80% due to larval mining in leaves and fruits, which compromises photosynthesis and commercial quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three management strategies in family farming systems in southern Angola: chemical control, a combined system (chemical + traps), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The field research was conducted between 2017 and 2018, with weekly monitoring of pest population, crop damage, and productivity. The results indicated that IPM — integrating Beauveria bassiana , pheromone traps, and crop rotation — reduced the pest population by 86% and doubled productivity compared with chemical control. The findings demonstrate that IPM is a viable, sustainable, and economically accessible alternative for smallholder farmers, particularly under humid conditions. The study highlights the importance of promoting public policies that support the adoption of IPM and biological control agents to reduce pesticide dependence and strengthen sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.