Determination of the influence of volatiles emitted by the semiochemical lure, T.V. Pherolure® on the volatile profile of a commercial tomato field

Abstract

The use of pheromone-based or semiochemical lures and devices for the detection of insect pest population and monitoring in agriculture is a common practice. In many countries the use of these devices is exempt from registration requirements based on regulatory thresholds set by the relevant authorities, however, not in South Africa. The question arises whether the pheromones or semiochemicals dispensed through such devices, influence the naturally occurring compounds observed and whether a concern of toxicity and ecotoxicity is justified. A tomato field was selected in a commercial growing area of South Africa and a novel five-component lure, T.V. PheroLure®, was identified from a local manufacturer, Insect Science (Pty) Ltd. The T.V. PheroLure® consists of a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) blend which is placed in a polyethylene bulb. Tomato VOCs were collected before, during and after the application of the T.V. PheroLure® which was used in combination with a yellow bucket funnel trap. The VOCs were collected at different heights (0 cm, 30 cm and 60 cm) of the tomato plants, from planting until harvest (22 weeks) and surrounding tomato fields without the T.V. PheroLure®. The results obtained indicated that: (i) the T.V. PheroLure® had no significant influence on the natural VOCs observed in the tomato field and (ii) that the height of sampling had no influence on VOCs observed. This study also indicated that apart from a slight increased contribution of limonene, there was no significant influence observed from the T.V. PheroLure® compounds on the natural background VOCs found in the tomato field. Therefore, it could be argued that the natural phenology of the plant has a greater influence on the VOCs observed than T.V. PheroLure® and that the concern of toxicity and ecotoxicity is unjustified when using these devices for monitoring purposes only.