To study the seasonal incidence of gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled, Seasonal incidence and management of gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner), on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), was conducted during Rabi 2020-21 at Research farm, College of Agriculture, Pune- 411 005, Dist. Pune (Maharashtra).The studies on seasonal incidence of Helicoverpa armigera revealed that the appearance of H. armigera eggs was observed during 51st SMW (third week of December, 2020) and remained up to 13th SMW (fourth week of March, 2021). The peak in egg population of H. armigera was observed during the third week of February (7th SMW) at flowering stage of the crop and recorded 5.25 eggs/meter row length. Non-significant negative correlation between egg population of H. armigera and weather parameters (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, wind speed, rainy days and evaporation) was observed, whereas non-significant positive correlation with egg population of H. armigera and relative humidity (morning) (r = 0.488), relative humidity (evening) (r = - 0.187), rainfall (r = 0.115) and sunshine (r = 0.097) was observed. Then the eggs population gradually decreased with the maturity of the crop and minimum egg population (0.20 eggs/meter row length) was observed in 13th SMW (fourth week of March, 2021). The appearance of Helicoverpa armigera larvae was recorded during 52nd SMW (fourth week of December, 2020) and remained up to 13th SMW (fourth week of March, 2021). The peak larval population of H. armigera was observed during the fourth week of February (9th SMW) at pod formation stage of the crop and recorded 5.15 larvae/meter row length. Then the larval population gradually decreased with the maturity of the crop and minimum larval population (1.50 larvae/meter row length) was observed in 13th SMW (fourth week of March, 2021). Non-significant negative correlation between incidence of H. armigera larval population and weather parameters i.e. temperature (minimum), relative humidity (morning and evening), wind speed, rainfall and rainy days was observed, whereas non-significant and positive correlation was observed between H. armigera and maximum temperature (r = 0.384), evaporation (r = 0.401), and sunshine (r = 0.372).