Influence of crop biodiversity on population dynamics of Exelastis atomosa (Wal.) in pigeonpea and border crops

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the experimental field of Department of Entomology, Live Stock Farm, Adhartal, J.N. Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.) during kharif season of 2012-2013. in a field trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of crop biodiversity on population dynamics of Exelastis atomosa (Wal.) in pigeonpea was studied with four treatments i.e. Pigeonpea + Maize (M) as border crop, Pigeonpea + Sorghum fodder (SF) as border crop, Pigeonpea sole unprotected (PP – UP) and Pigeonpea sole protected (PP – P) with eight replication. The mean minimum population of Exelastis atomosa was found in Pigeonpea + Maize (M) as border crop (1.07) while maximum population found in Pigeonpea sole unprotected (PP – UP) (1.71). Correlation between various abiotic factors and plume moth larval population showed that maximum and minimum temperature and morning vapour pressure had negative impact on pest population.