Seasonal incidence of foliage insect-pests infesting rabi oats (Avena sativa L.) in north Kashmir

Abstract

Experiment was carried out in the field at the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Kashmir, India during 2015-16 under free choice conditions to Seasonal incidence of different foliage insect-pests infesting Rabi Oats (Avena sativa L.) in North Kashmir. The results of investigation on Per cent damage of caterpillars of armyworm (M. separata) appeared from 10th meteorological week (7.57%) and reached its peak (29.97%) in the 22nd meteorological week whereas, caterpillars of gram pod borer (H. armigera) appeared from 12th meteorological week (2.75%) and reached its peak (22.67%) in the 18th meteorological week. Similarly, damage of cereal leaf beetle (O. melanopa L.) appeared from 8th meteorological week (5.94%) and reached its peak (34.58%) in the 23rd meteorological week while, damage of surface grasshoppers appeared from 10th meteorological week (1.26%) and reached its peak (3.21%) in the 22nd meteorological week. Later on, the pest population declined gradually towards the maturity of crop. Correlation between abiotic factors and per cent damage through caterpillars of M. separata, Helicoverpa armigera, and O. melanopa and grasshopper exhibited highly significant positive correlation with maximum, minimum temperature and sunshine (hrs.), while as highly significant negative correlation with relative humidity of morning as well as non-significant negative correlation with relative humidity of evening. However, this pest exhibited non-significant positive correlation with rainfall.