Seasonal Occurrence of Spotted Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Indian Bean and Correlation with Meteorological Aspects | Chapter 7 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 4

 

Aim: The present study aimed to highlight the population dynamics of spotted pod borer infesting Indian beans in relation to weather parameters.

Background: The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides by legume growers necessitates the exploration of alternative, sustainable pest management strategies. To develop such strategies, it is inevitable to understand the pest population and its dynamics.

Methodology: The study was conducted at a College farm at Navsari Agricultural University during Rabi of 2022-23 and 2023-24. 50 plants were randomly selected from the net plot area. The observations on the number of larvae per plant and per cent pod damage were counted. The weekly mean observation made on insect pests was subjected to Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis. Also, correlation analysis was conducted for the data of per cent pod damage with weather parameters.

Results: The larval population, in the year 2022-23 started from 51st SMW. The peak activity was observed in the 4th SMW when 6.46 larvae/plant population was recorded which coincided with the peak flowering stage. During the second season (the year 2023-24) also, the pest population started from 51st SMW with a pest population of 0.8 larvae/plant. The peak pest population was observed on the 4th SMW with 6.84 larvae/plant. The pod damage started from the 2nd SMW with 10.05 per cent and gradually increased. The peak was recorded in the 12th SMW, highest pod damage was observed at 55.89 per cent. Similar to the previous year, the pod damage was recorded from the 2nd SMW with 11.67 per cent, and the peak was seen in the 8th SMW with 56.63 per cent damage. The correlation of a number of larvae per plant with maximum (r=-0.63), minimum (r=-0.62), average temperature (r=-0.74), and average vapour pressure (r=-0.59) showed a significantly negative correlation. During the years 2023-24, minimum (r=-0.637) and average temperature (r=-0.610) showed a significant negative correlation. In the case of pod damage, it was revealed that maximum temperature (r=0.58) and bright sunshine hours (BSSH) (r=0.59) exhibited a significant positive correlation with pod damage per cent, in the year 2022-23. A similar trend was seen in years 2023-24 where maximum temperature (r=0.692) and BSSH (r=0.787) showed a significant positive correlation.

Conclusion: Temperature and to some extent vapour pressure play a significant role in the population fluctuation of spotted pod borer in Indian beans. The correlation of per cent pod damage to the weather parameters suggested that maximum temperature had a significant negative effect, while, bright sunshine hours had a significant positive effect. This knowledge will enable the farmers to keep track of the said pest according to the changing climate.

 

Author (s) Details

Singh, N. A.
Department of Entomology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, India.

 

Pandya, H. V.
Department of Entomology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, India.

 

Patel, S. R.
Department of Entomology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v4/2681