Impact of weather parameters on the population dynamics of major insect pests of sugarcane under the Tarai ecosystem of Pantnagar
Pantnagar Journal of Research, Volume - 22, Issue - 3 ( September-December 2024)Published: 2024-12-31
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Abstract
The sugarcane crop was attacked by various insect pest mainly Pyrilla, whitefly, mealybug, ash weevil, grasshopper, early shoot borer, top shoot borer, and internode borer, attacked the sugarcane crop. Study on the population dynamics of these pests revealed that infestations began in the second fortnight of April 2022 and continued until harvesting. The second fortnight of June had the peak infestation of early shoot borer (26.67%), whereas the first fortnight of September showed the highest level of top shoot borer infestation (36.67%). The infestation of internode borer peaked (26.67%) during the second fortnight of December. The first fortnight of October and November observed the highest numbers of Pyrilla eggs, nymphs, and adults, with population densities of 3.03, 5.50, and 6.23/leaf, respectively. In the second fortnight of October, the highest number of whiteflies was observed at 2.03/three leaves. The study additionally examined at the relationship between weather parameters and insect infestations. A significant positive correlation was found between minimum temperature and early shoot borer infestations. Top shoot borer incidence was considerably positively correlated with both morning and afternoon relative humidity. The minimum and maximum temperatures were significantly negatively correlated with Pyrilla egg populations. The incidence of grasshoppers exhibited a positive correlation with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and afternoon relative humidity, while mealybug and ash weevil infestations showed a substantial positive correlation with afternoon relative humidity.
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