Yield loss dynamics in groundnut (Arachis hypogea): Effect of insect-pests across developmental stages

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop, but its productivity is severely constrained by insect pest infestations at different crop growth stages. A field experiment was conducted during summer 2025 at the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Latur (Maharashtra) to assess yield losses caused by insect pests under stage-specific crop protection. Six treatments comprising crop protection at vegetative, blooming, pegging, podding, and maturity stages, along with complete crop protection, were evaluated. The results revealed significant variations in pest incidence and yield across treatments. Aphids (Aphis craccivora) and leafhoppers (Empoasca kerri) were most abundant during the vegetative stage, while thrips (Frankliniella schultzei) and leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella) incidence peaked during pegging and blooming stages. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) incidence remained low and non-significant. The maximum pod yield (2949.41 kg/ha) was recorded under complete protection (T1), followed by protection during the vegetative stage only (T2) with 2771.34 kg/ha. Yield declined sharply when protection was provided only at later stages, with the lowest yield (1644.64 kg/ha) and highest avoidable loss (44.24%) observed under maturity stage protection (T6). Minimum avoidable loss (6.04%) was associated with vegetative stage protection (T2). The study clearly demonstrates that vegetative, blooming, pegging and podding are the most vulnerable growth stages of groundnut to insect pests. Timely protection during these stages is crucial to minimize yield losses and enhance productivity.