Influence of weather parameters on population dynamics of rice leaf folder (RLF) in rice crop at Raipur district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

A research analysis was carried out to assess the influence of weather parameters on population dynamics of rice leaf folder and develop a forewarning model based on weather parameters and validate the models developed. Earlier in the 1980s, rice leaf folder (C. medinalis) had its status changed from minor pest to major pest due to its ability to cause damage above the economic threshold level (E.T.L.) in severe cases of the pest attack. Therefore, our present study was aimed to assess the congenial weather conditions for pest attack. For correlation analysis between weather parameters and field population of rice leaf folder, cumulative date of 20 years (2000-2019) was analyzed. The obtained C.C.S. values showed RLF in non-significant relationship with the maximum temperature (r = -0.005) and morning relative humidity (r = -0.202). Negative significant (at 1% significance level) relationship of RLF was observed with minimum temperature (r = -0.753), rainfall (r = -0.871) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.825). Positive significant (at 1% significance level) relationship was observed with the sunshine hours (r = 0.905).