Succession and population dynamics of major insect pest of tomato in relation to weather parameters in Jabalpur region

Abstract

The study was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Maharajpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during Rabi season 2020-21. The tomato crop in Jabalpur has been found to be affected by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii). The whitefly infestation began in the first SMW (vegetative stage) until the crop was harvested. While percent leaf infection of the leaf miner was documented in the 3rd SMW (vegetative stage). The per cent fruit damage of the fruit borer was reported in the 6th SMW (Fruiting stage) and persisted till the harvest of the crop. Relationship between the population of whiteflies and the weather factors showed that the number of white flies and the maximum temperature had a significant positive connection (r=0.560). The percent leaf infested by the leaf miner and maximum temperature had a substantial positive connection (r= 0.571). Percent leaf infestation was shown to have a substantial negative connection with morning relative humidity (r=-0.520) and evening relative humidity (r= -0.693). A significant positive correlation was observed between per cent fruit damage and temperature (maximum temperature (r=0.797) and minimum temperature (r=0.699)). A significant negative correlation was observed between per cent fruit damage of fruit borer with morning relative humidity (r= -0.560) and evening relative humidity (r= -0.697).