May 2, 2000 / The Associated Press / Krishnan Guruswamy
NEW DELHI, India -- The Helicoverpa caterpillar that is resistant to
pesticides has, according to this story, eaten half the tomato crop in and
around the capital as frustrated farmers douse their fields with chemicals
in vain.
Farmer Ram Kumar Singh was quoted as saying, "I spend much of the time
throwing away the tomatoes."
The tomato crop has been bountiful this year, with yields of up to 6,600
pounds per acre. But, the story says, farmers have thrown away at least 50
percent of the crop because of the infestation.
One problem, a government expert said, was that farmers were growing too
much too fast, keeping the pests well-fed. In the past, farmers left their
fields fallow for one or two months before planting their tomatoes, which
improved the soil and helped kill the pests.
(posted without permission)
