Seasonal Incidence of Insect Pests of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and their Correlation with Weather Parameters

MUSTARD INSECT PEST INCIDENCE AND WEATHER PARAMETERS

Abstract

Seasonal Incidence of mustard insect pests and their correlation with weather parameters has been studied under field conditions at Research Farm, Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, during Rabi season, 2021-22. The results revealed that aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) infestation initiated from 51^st Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) and reached at peak (126.20 aphid/10 cm terminal shoot) on 4^th SMW while the painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Kirk.) infestation was observed two times in the cropping season. First infestation was observed in 45^th SMW (0.60 bugs/plant) and second infestation occurred from 8^th SMW to 10^th SMW (5.13 bugs/plant). Likewise, the flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze)  peak activity was noticed on 4^th SMW (0.93 beetles/plant) whereas the leaf webber, Crocidolomia binotalis Zell. infestation reached to peak (2.87 larvae/plant) on 6^th SMW. Mustard aphid was  significantly negative correlated with minimum temperature while  significantly positive with morning relative humidity (RH). Flea beetel and leaf webber were significantly negative correlated with minimum temperature. Painted bug was significantly positive with maximum temperature while significantly negative correlated with evening RH.