Seasonal Incidence of Insect-Pests of Field Pea

Abstract

During both seasons, aphid incidence peaked at 38.40 aphids/10cm shoot at the 5th SMW and 40.51 aphids/10cm shoot at the 4th SMW, respectively. While the activity of leafhoppers attained the peak of 14.20 leafhoppers/3 leaves during 7th SMW and 13.20 leafhoppers/3 leaves during 6th SMW during both seasons, respectively. During 2019-20, the whitefly population initiated at 5th WAS and persisted until the 13th WAS (1.44 to 11.28 whiteflies/3 leaves), whereas, in 2020-21, the population began in the 6th WAS and peaked during 12th WAS (12.21 whiteflies/3 leaves). Pod borer population started in 5th WAS and peaked (1.34 larvae/plant) in 10th WAS during 2019-20; in 2020-21, the population peaked (1.12 larvae/plant) during 11th WAS. The ladybird beetle population was active from 6th to 13th WAS and reached a peak (2.86 beetles/plant) during the 10th WAS in 2019-20. During the second season, the population of ladybird beetles started in the 7th WAS and peaked at 2.30 beetles/plant in 10th WAS. The spider appeared on the crop on the 5th WAS and remained active until 14th WAS, with the peak activity (0.34 and 0.30 spider/plant) reported during 6th SMW in both seasons. Significantly negative correlation was seen between evening relative humidity and leafhopper population during both seasons. Other insect-pests (aphid, leafhopper, whitefly and H. armigera) showed non significant impact of weather parameters during both seasons. Whereas, H. armigera larvae had positive correlation with bright sunshine hours and wind velocity during both seasons. Ladybird beetle showed highly significant and positive correlation with aphid, leafhopper and whitefly population during both seasons. Spider showed significant and positive correlation with aphid, leafhopper and whitefly population in both seasons.