Insect population associated with black gram and the influence of abiotic factors on the occurrence of insect pests affecting black gram

Abstract

The present studies were conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior during kharif season of 2018-19. The activity of aphid, jassid and whitefly started from 34th SMW and continued till the harvest of the crop with its peak population (22.3, 4.2 and 9.0 insects/3compound leaves/plant) in 38th, 39th and 39th SMW, respectively. The activity of coreid bug and flea beetle was started from 37th SMW with its peak population (2.9 and 3.2 insects/plant) in 39th and 40th SMW. The incidence of Coccinellid beetle was started from 35th SMW till the harvest of the crop with its peak abundance (1.9 beetles/plant) in 41th SMW. Correlation studies indicated population of aphid, jassid, whitefly, coreid bug, flea beetle and Coccinella beetle on black gram significantly positive correlated with maximum temperature and evaporation. The aphid and whitefly population positively correlated with minimum temperature. There was no relationship between the observed insect fauna on black gram with humidity and rainfall.