Incidence of Insect Pest Damage in Rice Crop in Relation to Meteorological Parameters in Punjab – A Plant Clinic Data Based Case Study

Abstract

The data incidence of insect pest of rice crop received at Plant Clinic, PAU Ludhiana during 2000-2009 were used to a study to analyse the effect of various meteorological parameters. Under Punjab conditions, maximum number (percent) of insect pest damage samples received at Plant Clinic were for plant hopper (44%) followed by leaf folder (30%) and stem borer (29%). The weather conditions conducive for the build up of rice pest population were cloudy weather coupled with a well distributed rainfall received in more number of rainy days during the crop season. Such conditions were observed during the high pest infestation years (pest samples >200) a well distributed (more number of rainy days) near or above normal rainfall was received during June to October, The climatic normals alongwith the interaction of rice crop, weather and insect population dynamics and these can be used as a tool for preparation of weather based agro-advisory.