Rodents in cauliflower and cabbage: Population, damage and control

Abstract

Mus musculus, Bandicota bengalensis, Rattus meltada and M. booduga were the major rodent species in the cauliflower fields, comprising 26 .87, 23.47, 16.40 and 13.23%, respectively, of the total rodent population in the curd crop and 27 .09, 22.96, 18.12 and 13.98%, respectively, in the seed crop. These fields supported 53 to 57 active rodent burrows per hectare. Rodent damage occurred from the curd formation stage onwards and varied from4 .44 to 11.37% in the curd crop and 8.36 to 13.94% in the seed crop. B. bengalensis and R. meltada appeared to be the most damaging species as their burrows were located in the fields either at the base or in the near vicinity of the plants, whereas burrows of mice were at the periphery of the fields. Burrowbaiting with 0 .005% flocoumafen and 0 .005% bromadiolone yielded 76 .9 and 76.1% control success, respectively. Pulsed-baiting with 2 .5% zinc phosphide applied in burrows, followed by bromadiolone provided 83 .4% control success. Such a treatment (pulsed-baiting) resulted in a saving of up to 1080 kg curd and up to 25 .028 kg seed/ha in cauliflower curd and seed crop, respectively.