Abiotic stresses, especially water deficit stress (WS), significantly limit global agricultural productivity by impairing crop growth and yield, especially in drought-susceptible crops such as tomatoes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), such as Funneliformis mosseae, form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing host plant resilience under stress conditions by improving photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient availability, and water uptake. The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) threatens horticultural crops, causing economic losses. This study evaluated the combined effects of WS and AMF inoculation on the life table parameters of T. vaporariorum in tomato plants grown under controlled greenhouse conditions. Four treatments were applied: (1) full irrigation (100% field capacity) without fungal inoculation (100% FIT); (2) full irrigation with fungal inoculation (100% FIT + AMF); (3) 60% full irrigation with fungal inoculation (60% FIT + AMF); and (4) 60% full irrigation without fungal inoculation (60% FIT). Using the two-sex life table theory and 50 replicates per treatment, the results revealed that under 60% FIT, key parameters such as the intrinsic rate of population increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), and fertility were significantly reduced. However, these parameters were improved when fungal inoculation was applied under the same WS conditions. Additionally, plants subjected to 60% FIT exhibited reduced root and shoot biomass, plant height, and root colonization, as well as increased proline accumulation and catalase activity. In contrast, 100% FIT + AMF inoculation under WS conditions significantly alleviated these negative effects, underscoring its potential as a sustainable strategy for mitigating drought-induced damage in tomato cultivation while managing pest populations.

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