Abstract
The field experiment was conducted during 2013-16 at Navsari Agricultural University, Paria, Gujarat to study the role of weather parameters on population dynamics of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis on mango, Mangifera indica L. Fruit flies were recorded throughout the investigation period, wherein maximum catches were observed during April - July which coincided with fruiting and harvesting stages of the crop. Weather parameters viz., minimum temperature, evening relative humidity, rainfall and wind velocity were found to be important predictors of fruit fly catches, while maximum temperature and morning relative humidity failed to establish significant correlation with the catches. The optimized model developed using rainfall and wind velocity predicted fruit fly catches based on R2 value to the tune of 78 per cent. This forewarning model may help mango farmers to take advance decision for minimizing the quantitative and qualitative crop losses caused by fruit flies of the region.
Highlights
Mango, Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) is one of the appetizing fruit crops of tropical as well as subtropical regions of India and is known as “king of fruits” due to its delicious taste, attractive color, savoring flavour and high nutritive value (Lakashminarayana, 1980)
The results of the study (Fig. 1) indicated that mean male population of fruit flies varied from 1.7 to 312.7 per trap indicating maximum population during 23rd SMW (312.7 males /trap) when the prevailing maximum and minimum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity, rainfall and wind velocity were 35.3, 25.90C, 63.6-78.4%, 76.8 mm and 5.9 kmh-1 followed by 25th (294.13 males /trap), and 20th SMW (292.73 males /trap), respectively which coincided with ripening cum harvesting stage of the mango fruits
The present findings are in agreement with Patel et al (2013) who reported highest fruit fly population during 22nd SMW (28-3 June) followed by 23rd and 21st SMWs which coincided with ripening cum harvesting stage of mango fruits
Summary
Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) is one of the appetizing fruit crops of tropical as well as subtropical regions of India and is known as “king of fruits” due to its delicious taste, attractive color, savoring flavour and high nutritive value (Lakashminarayana, 1980). B. dorsalis is reported as predominating species and its population is found to be recorded throughout the year in mango ecosystem of south Gujarat (Patel et al, 2013). The aim of present study was to relate the population dynamics of fruit fly with weather parameters under southern agro-climatic Gujarat conditions.
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