Incidence of sucking insect-pests of okra and their correlation with abiotic factors

Abstract

Investigation on incidence of sucking insect-pests of okra and its relationship with weather parameters was carried out during Kharif, 2019 at experimental area, Department of Entomology, CCSHAU, Hisar. Observations for sucking pests were recorded at weekly interval from three leaves per plant, starting from 27th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW). Maximum population of leafhopper (8.8 nymphs/ leaf) and whitefly (3.3 adults/ leaf) was observed during 31st and 32nd SMW, respectively. While the minimum population of leafhopper (0.2 nymphs/ leaf) and whitefly (0.1 adults/ leaf) was recorded during 39th and 27th SMW, respectively. Leafhopper population was significantly and negatively correlated with maximum temperature, while significant and positively correlated with evening relative humidity and rainfall. Correlation of leafhopper with all other weather parameters was negative and non-significant. While considering the whitefly population, it was found significant and positively correlated with rainfall, morning and evening relative humidity; however, a negative and significant correlation existed with maximum temperature. It was concluded that maximum population of sucking insect-pests was recorded during August month and it increases with rainfall.