Population dynamics of insect pest complex of soybean [Glycine max (L) Merrill] in relation to weather parameters at Prayagraj, (U.P.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2018. Population dynamics of major insect pests of soybean are highly affected by weather parameters like; temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum), rainfall, and sunshine hours. The result revealed that the highest population of whiteflies 12.0 whiteflies/3 leaves and leafhoppers 3.8 leafhoppers/ 3 leaves was recorded during 44th and 39th standard week respectively. The highest population of pod bug 3.1 pod bugs /3 leaves was recorded during 45th standard week and tobacco caterpillar 3.2 caterpillars/1 mrl was recorded during 41st standard week. The population of whitefly showed non-significant negative correlation with minimum temperature and maximum relative humidity, significant negative correlation with minimum relative humidity and rainfall while it showed non-significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with sunshine. The population of leafhopper showed non-significant negative correlation with minimum relative humidity and rainfall, non-significant positive correlation with minimum temperature and sunshine while it showed significant negative correlation with maximum relative humidity and significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. The population of pod bug showed non-significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and rainfall, significant negative correlation with minimum temperature and minimum relative humidity while it showed non-significant positive correlation with maximum relative humidity and significant positive correlation with sunshine. The population of tobacco caterpillar showed non-significant negative correlation with minimum relative humidity and rainfall, non-significant positive correlation with minimum temperature and sunshine while it showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and significant negative correlation with maximum relative humidity.