Seasonal incidence of thrips and mites on chilli at Konkan condition

Abstract

The investigation on Seasonal incidence of thrips and mites on Chilli, Capsicum annum L.” was undertaken at Vegetable Improvement Scheme, Central Experiment Station, Wakawali under Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the Rabi, 2023-24 and Rabi, 2024-25. The study showed that during 2023-24, the thrips infestation was noticed from 50th SMW (1.20 thrips per 3 leaves per plant) which reached its peak in 4th and 8th SMW (9.80 thrips per 3 leaves per plant), declined thereafter and sustained till 15th SMW (2.50 thrips per 3 leaves per plant). The activity of mites noticed from 51st SMW (0.40 per 3 leaves per plant), which gradually increased and reached its peak in 14th SMW (8.20 per 3 leaves per plant) and remain active till 15th (5.60 per 3 leaves per plant) with little decrease. The incidence of thrips during 2024-25 started from 50th SMW (0.50 thrips per 3 leaves per plant), reached its peak in 5th SMW (11.10 thrips per 3 leaves per plant) and sustained till 15th SMW (1.40 thrips per 3 leaves per plant). Mite population noticed from 51st SMW (0.60 per 3 leaves per plant) which reached its peak in 14th SMW (8.50 per 3 leaves per plant) and sustained till 15th SMW (6.00 per 3 leaves per plant). During 2023-24, the thrips population showed significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r = -0.662**) and evening relative humidity (R.H.-II) (r = -0.752**) whereas, significant positive correlation with sunshine hours (r = 0.601**). The mite population showed significant negative correlation with morning relative humidity (R.H.-I) (r = -0.820**) whereas, significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.882**), wind speed (r = 0.892**) and evaporation (r = 0.906**). During 2024-25, thrips population showed non-significant correlation with weather parameters. Mite showed significant negative correlation with morning relative humidity (R.H.-I) (r = -0.759**) and evening relative humidity (R.H.-II) (r = -0.624**) whereas, significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.853**), minimum temperature (r = 0.709**), wind speed (r = 0.882**) and evaporation (r = 0.901**). Weather parameters contributed 91 and 54 per cent of total variation in the population of thrips and 93 and 96 per cent of total variation in the population of mites on chilli during 2023-24 and 24-25, respectively.