Fresh market winter tomatoes are economic crop of South Florida. In recent years, the local tomato growers are facing challenges from the thrips transmitted tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV). Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) and common blossom thrips (Frankliniella schultzei Tybom) are identified as vector of this virus in Florida. The effect of silver plastic mulch with different organization, barrier crop (sorghum) and reduced risk insecticides were used in the present study to manage this vector borne disease. Results showed the leaf and flower samples from silver mulches, barrier crop and spinosad treated tomatoes had lower number of adult and larval thrips than the untreated control and other treatments. We observed a significantly higher number of marketable yields from tomatoes treated with silver mulch and spinosad. The number of TCSV infected tomato was found less in silver mulches, spinosad and barrier crop (sorghum) treated tomatoes than the untreated control and other treatments. The current study was conducted to develop a sustainable management practices for thrips-tospovirus problem in tomato.
