Effect of fertilizer on sucking pest population in sesame

Abstract

The incidence of sucking pests (thrips, jassid, whitefly and aphid) increased with higher nitrogen levels and lower phosphorus levels. A lower nitrogen application (25 kg N/ha) combined with a higher phosphorus application (40 kg P2O5/ha) significantly reduced the incidence of sucking pests, whereas a higher nitrogen level (75 kg N/ha) with a lower phosphorus level (10 kg P2O5/ha) led to a significant increase in pest incidence. Sucking pest populations showed a positive correlation with nitrogen levels and a negative correlation with phosphorus levels. Sesame yield was positively correlated with both nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus had no significant effect on sucking pest populations.