Abundance of pigeonpea pests in relation to crop phenology under organic and conventional farming systems

Abstract

The abundance of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) and pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch) was studied in organic and conventional farming systems of pigeon pea (cv. Vaishali) at Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Gujarat. The highest larval population (14.68 ± 2.97 and 12.70 ± 3.11 larvae/ plant in organic and conventional farming systems) and highest pod damage (15.12 ± 5.42 and 13.23 ± 4.57/50 pods) due to pod borer were noticed at the pod formation stage. Correlation of pod borer population and its damage with crop stage was significant and positive (‘r’ = 0.461 & 0.411 and ‘r’ = 0.455 & 0.45The highest larval (maggot) population of pod flies was noticed at pod maturity stage (28.31 ± 5.70 and 25.44 ± 5.70 larvae/ 50 pods). Similarly, the highest seed damage due to pod fly was noticed at harvest (76.50 ± 2.83 and 71.67 ± 7.79 %). The correlation of pod fly population and seed damage with crop stage was significant and positive (‘r’ = 0.746 and 0.736 and ‘r’ = 0.931 and 0.929).