Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SUCCESSION OF IMPORTANT PESTS OF MUSTARD IN MIDDLE GUJARAT, INDIA

*R. I. Chaudhary and C. C. Patel

Abstract

Pests succession in mustard crop was studied at Anand in Middle Gujarat during Rabi season of 2014-15. The aphid population commenced from 3rd week after sowing, i.e. first week of December (49th SMW) with aphid index 0.07 and reached to peak (3.33 aphid index) at 14th week after sowing i.e., 3rd week of February (8th SMW). Aphids had highly significantly positive (r = 0.652) correlation with evapotranspiration. The sawfly larvae first appeared (0.13 larvae/quadrate) on the crop in the first week of December (3rd WAS) and reached to peak (2.47) in the 7th WAS i.e., first week of January (1st SMW). There was significantly negative correlation of sawfly with evapotranspiration and bright sunshine hours (- 0.708* and - 0.409*), respectively. The infestation of leaf miner (0.13 mines/3 leaves) commenced from fourth week after sowing i.e. 2nd week of December (50th SMW) which gradually increased and reached to peak (2.03) during 12th week after sowing, i.e. 1st week of February (6th SMW). There was no any significant correlation of leaf miner with weather parameters. The population of painted bug (0.33 nymph and adult /plant) first appeared on the crop from fourth week after sowing i.e. 2nd week of December (50th SMW) which gradually increased and reached to peak (1.67) in the third week of January (9th WAS). There was no any significant correlation between painted bug and weather parameters.