A new exciting research study with a Spunbond material wrap around tomato plants has made significant success in potentially reducing its most infamous tomato disease, The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease. This disease is a considerable problem to farmers because it is caused by Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV), which is transmitted by the whitefly. This species of insect is a tropical species and is most abundant in warm climates and greenhouses. When transmitted, it can severely damage tomato crops with severe infections. Thus, forcing the plant in stunted growth, small curled leaves, premature flower drop, and embryo abortion. In addition, all the symptoms presented could result in 100% fruit loss. Another similar study was conducted to see if the positive effects would be the same with cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) Two cucumber varieties were used during the study, Speed Max and Northern C.

The study was aimed to observe the effects of using Spunbonded row cover on both tomato and cucumber production to control insect pest infestation (Whitefly and Tuta absoluta) and potentially reduce the presence of viral disease (Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus) under dry season in Chiangmai, Thailand. In addition, the cost and benefits were recorded to check the financial feasibility of the technique. The action research was conducted at KT Farm in Chiangmai, Thailand, during the dry season from February until June 2021 to compare both vegetable production between open field conditions and under the Spunbond cover.

 The results showed clearly that the use of Spunbond could reduce viral disease incidence by 94.4% and thus increase by 93.1% the marketable yield compared to the open field condition within a tomato production. The cucumber study had similar results in larger marketable yield, low presence of common pests and diseases, and potentially being able to produce vegetables during their off-season. However, the production under the Spunbond condition cannot give the return of investment in this study. Due to its scale. Improving the cost efficiency of Spunbond cover can help achieve higher profits even though the Spunbond is a single-use material.

As an elaborate summary of the study, you may find the fully detailed reports of the study in the links below.

Spunbond Tomato Study Full Report

Spunbond Cucumber Study Full Report