Impact of farmscaping on the bioecology of gram pod borer

Abstract

Seasonal incidence of gram pod borer and Impact of border plants viz., mustard, marigold and sunflower along with biopesticide on the abundance of associated larval parasitoid C.chlorideae on gram pod borer was assessed on variety GNG-1581. The maximum pod borer population (2.9 larvae per meter row) was recorded during 3rd and 4th week of December (50th and 51st SMW); whereas, minimum pod borer (0.71 larvae per meter row) was recorded during 5th week of November (48th SMW). Farmscaping with biopesticide application (one spray of NSKE and one spray of Ha NPV) had lower mean larval population as compared to farmscaping without biopesticide application. Mean atmospheric temperature had not significant effect on larval population in all the farmscape treatments as there was no significant variation in the temperature throughout the season. Pod borer population significant positive correlation (r = 0.59) with mean relative humidity during the crop season; whereas, sunshine exhibited a significant negative correlation (r =-0.62) with larval population.