Influence of abiotic factors on population dynamics of sucking insect pests in oats

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of abiotic factors on population dynamics of sucking insect pests in oats variety Sabzar viz.,Wheat aphid (Schizaphis graminum), Green Stink bug (Carpocoris spp), Aster Leafhoppers (Macrosteles quadrillineatus), Broad-headed bug (Camptopus lateralis Germar) under unprotected condition. S. graminum, M. quadrillineatus and Carpocoris spp were observed from the experimental site. Among these, aphid population appeared from 9th meteorological week (2.29/plant) and reached their peak (17.95/plant) in the 22nd meteorological week. Hoppers appeared from 10th meteorological week (2.68/plant) and reached their peak in the 24th meteorological week (17.23/plant). However, bug’s appeared from 9th meteorological week (2.37/plant) and reached their peak (12.56/plant) in the 21st meteorological week. All hemipteran insect pests after reaching the peak showed declining trend as crop progressed to the maturity. Correlation analysis with the weather parameter viz., temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, sunshine hours and rainfall revealed that correlation of hemipteran insect pests (aphids, hopper and bug’s) these pests exhibited a highly significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.75), minimum temperature (r = 0.76), sunshine (r = 0.55). While, these pests exhibited highly significant negative correlation with relative humidity of morning and non-significant correlation with relative humidity of evening, aphids hoppers and bugs showed non-significant correlation with rainfall.