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ThesisItem Open Access Impact of Brassica Bloom on Colony Performance of Apis mellifera L.in Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Ulfat Manzoor; Parveena BanoThe present study “Impact of Brassica Bloom on Colony Performance of Apis mellifera in Kashmir Valley” was carried out during April-May 2022 at two locations viz., KVK-Ganderbal and RTCPPPM-SKUAST Kashmir Shalimar. During the brassica bloom period the colony parameters viz., brood area(cm2), bee strength(cm2), pollen area (cm2) and honey area(g) in all the colonies selected was recorded maximum in ten frame colonies at KVK Ganderbal; (1237cm2), (1 225.86cm2), (1246cm2), (3692.56g) followed by RTCPPPM respectively. The minimum brood area (cm2), bee strength (cm2), pollen area (cm2) and honey area (g) in all the colonies selected was recorded in two frame colonies as (325.73cm2), (316.05cm2), (306.38cm2), (310.41cm2) followed by RTCPPPM respectively at interval second i.e., 20 days after bloom. The foraging behaviour was observed in all the selected colonies at both the locations during the bloom of brassica crop at KVK-Ganderbal and other temperate fruit crops at RTCPPPM. The maximum number of pollen and nectar foragers were recorded during week 3rd of April month in ten frame colonies at location KVK Ganderbal (136.76) and (122.7) followed by RTCPPPM respectively. The minimum number of pollen and nectar foragers was recorded during 1st week of May in two frame colonies as (98.24) and (71.19) followed by RTCPPPM respectively. The pollen foragers were recorded maximum during noon hours 13:00-15:00hr, in ten frame colony as (603.68) and minimum number of pollen foragers were recorded during evening hours17:00-19:00hr as (280.17) in two frame colony at KVK-Ganderbal followed by RTCPPPM respectively. The nectar foragers were recorded maximum in ten frame colony during morning hour’s 9:00-11:00hr as (624.14) and minimum number of nectar foragers were recorded during evening hours 17:00-19:00hr as (261.27) in two frame colony. The impact of various abiotic factors viz., temperature, sunshine, relative humidity and precipitation (rainfall) on foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera was computed through estimation of Pearsons Correlation coefficient and it was seen that the activity of pollen foragers was positively correlated with maximum temperature, sunshine hours and negatively correlated with rain and maximum relative humidity. The Nectar foragers showed positive correlation with maximum temperature and negative correlation with rain and maximum relative humidity.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Biology and Feeding Efficiency of Coccinella undecimpunctata (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) on Aphis Pomi and Aphis Spiraecola in High Density Apple Orchard Ecosystem(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Suriya Gullam; Tahmina MushtaqThe present investigation entitled “Studies on biology and feeding Efficiency of Coccinella undecimpunctata (Coccinellidae: coleoptera) on Aphis pomi and Aphis spiraecola in high density apple orchard ecosystem” was conducted during 2021-2023 in laboratory of Division of Entomology, SKUAST- K, Shalimar, Srinagar. The data related to biological parameters and predatory potential was recorded at 25-30oC with 60-70 per cent relative humidity for Aphis pomi and Aphis spiraecola. Various biological parameters like; pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, fecundity, larval period, total larval period adult longevity were examined that revealed significant effect due to variation in prey species, while as no effect was observed on egg incubation period, pre- pupal, and pupal period adult emergence and sex ratio. During observation it was seen that feeding pattern of Coccinella undecimpunctata during development followed the order Aphis pomi > Aphis spiraecola. After careful examination it was seen that Coccinella undecimpunctata adult laid maximum eggs (634 ± 67.4) when reared on Aphis pomi in comparison to Aphis spiraecola ( 402 ± 45.24).The functional response of larval and adult stage of Coccinella undecimpunctata was investigated at prey density of 2, 4, 8, 16 , 32 , 64 and 128 aphids on daily basis and the studies revealed that behaviour of both the larval instars and adults against the two aphid hosts matched Holling’s Type II functional response showing curvilinear rise to the plateau. The per day consumption of Coccinella undecimpunctata was observed as; Aphis pomi > Aphis spirecola and the IVth instar larvae displayed a higher rate of predation against both of the hosts species. The experiment revealed the estimates of maximum number of aphids attacked per day was 19.2 for 4th instar larvae and 16.6 for adult female when Aphis pomi was used as prey. While in case of Aphis spirecola the number of aphids attacked per day was 17.9 for 4th instar larvae and 17.7 for adult female. Among the two host species, lowest handling time was exhibited by the 4th instar larvae on Aphis pomi (1.124 h) followed by Aphis spiraecola (1.190 h). The aggregational response of Coccinella undecimpunctata was investigated at fixed prey density (40) and varying predator density (1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) on both the hosts. Maximum aggregation was found in 4th instar, adult female, 3rd instar and adult male. Numerical response (aggregational response) also investigated at varied prey density of prey (8, 16, 32, 64, 128) and predators (1, 2, 3, 4 ,5) on Aphis pomi. Maximum aggregation of predators (5) was observed at highest host density of 128. The rate of attack (a) was recorded highest for 4th instar at lowest prey density (1) and showed a downward trend with increase in predator densities due to intra-specific competition occurring among Coccinella undecimpunctata larvae under conditions of food limitations. In reproductive response it was found that while increasing prey density oviposition gets increased. At prey density of 128, reproductive potential of Coccinella undecimpunctata was highest (537.4 eggs/ female) in Aphis pomi followed by (364.4 eggs/ female) in Aphis spirecola According to laboratory research, among the two hosts, Aphis pomi was found to be most suitable for mass rearing of Coccinella undecimpunctata rather than Aphis spiraecola and could be utilised for its mass production.ThesisItem Open Access Bioprospecting Nucleopolyhedrovirus as Biopesticide against Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) infesting Wheat(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Sabreena; Gani, MudasirThe Oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) is a serious insect pest of cereal crops viz. wheat, maize, rice and millets in India and other countries. The pest has been reported above Economic Threshold Level (ETL) and caused significant damage to cereal crops in Kashmir valley from last few years This pest is largely managed by synthetic insecticides in Kashmir. The widespread development of resistance to chemical insecticides, effects on non-target organisms and environmental contamination has stimulated efforts to develop eco-friendly methods for the management of M. separata. Investigations on “Bioprospecting Nucleopolyhedrovirus as Biopesticide against Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) Infesting Wheat” were carried out to isolate and determine the potential of naturally occurring M. separata nucleopolyhedrovirus (MyseNPV) isolates for the management of this pest in Kashmir. A total of three MyseNPV isolates, one each from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora were collected and evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. The virus was identified through microscopy and the pathogenicity of MyseNPV was also confirmed through Koch’s postulates. The natural infection of MyseNPV in host larvae varied from 7.14-38.0 per cent, 5-18.3 per cent and 10-15.4 per cent in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara, respectively. The mean MyseNPV infection was highest in Baramulla (19.7 %) followed by Bandipora (12.4 %) and Kupwara (10.5 %). The mortality of 2nd instar M. separata larvae with three different MyseNPV isolates at different doses ranged from 33.33 - 86.11 per cent, with significant differences between the doses in each isolate under laboratory conditions. The highest mortality of larvae was observed with the MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla isolate (86.11 %) followed by MyseNPV-IND-Bandipora isolate (76.65 %) and MyseNPV-IND-Kupwara isolate (66.66 %) at a dose of 1×107 Occlusion bodies per larva (OBs/larva). A significant positive correlation between dose and mortality was also observed in all isolates. The median lethal dose (LD50) values of MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla, MyseNPV-IND-Kupwara and MyseNPV-IND-Bandipora isolates against 2nd instar M. separata larvae were 5.42 × 103, 7.20 × 104 and 9.78 × 104 OBs/larva with significant differences between the isolates as evidenced by the non-overlapping confidence limits. In time response bioassays, the cumulative larval mortality (%) caused by MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla, MyseNPV-IND-Kupwara and MyseNPV-IND-Bandipora isolates at their respective LD50 doses over a period of 10 days was 53.56 ± 5.11, 48.03 ± 3.98 and 51.67 ± 4.13, respectively. The median survival time (ST50) values of MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla, MyseNPV-IND-Kupwara and MyseNPV-IND-Bandipora isolates against 2nd instar M. separata larvae were 7.80, 9.10 and 8.72 days, respectively, with significant differences between the isolates as evidenced by the non-overlapping confidence limits. The results revealed that the LD50 and ST50 values of MyseNPV-IND- Baramulla isolate was significantly lower as compared to MyseNPV-IND-Kupwara and MyseNPV-IND-Bandipora isolates and hence the MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla isolate was selected for field evaluation against the host larvae in wheat crop. The results revealed that the different doses of MyseNPV-IND-Baramulla isolate crude formulation inflicted 46.40 – 83.62 per cent mortality in M. separata larvae on wheat crop under field conditions, the differences being significant between the doses. The highest mortality of 83.62 per cent was observed at a dose of 2 × 109 OBs/plot. It’s concluded that the MyseNPV has a considerable potential for ecofriendly management of M. separata and can be used as a promising viable alternative to chemical insecticides in Kashmir.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Biology and Management of Green Weevil Infesting Apple(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Lone, Rabia; Sajad Mohi-ud-dinThe present investigation entitled “Studies on Biology and Management of Green Weevil Infesting Apple” was carried out in the Division of Entomology and apple orchard under High Density Plantation (HDP) system at Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura during the year 2022 and 2023. The perusal of data on the apple varieties revealed that the pest started its activity from 20th standard meteorological week (SMW) with mean population level (3.02 weevils per four branches) recorded in this week. Thereafter, the pest population increased gradually and reached to its peak (9.93 weevils per four branches) during 26th SMW. Afterwards, it started declining upto 38th SMW, wherein no infestation was recorded. In varieties, maximum population level (9.32 weevils/ four branches) was recorded in the month of July while as the minimum population level (3.77 weevils per four branches) was recorded in the month of May. Among four selected varieties viz., Red Velox, Gala Redlum, Super Chief and Pinnova, the cumulative mean weevils per four branches was recorded highest (6.30 ±1.75 weevils) in Red Velox and the lowest (2.63 ± 0.95 weevils) in Pinnova, throughout the season. The examination of data on incidence of green weevil in apple rootstocks revealed that the activity of green weevil commenced from 20th SMW with average population level (5.89 weevils per plant). Thereafter, the pest population gradually increased and reached to its peak (13.89 weevils per plant) during 26th SMW. Later on, decreasing trend was observed till September and no incidence was recorded in 38th SMW. The pattern of incidence of green weevil observed on rootstocks and apple cultivars was similar, however the severity of incidence and damage was more in rootstocks in contrast to the apple cultivars. In rootstocks, maximum population level (12.53 weevils per plant) was observed in the month of July and the minimum population level (5.67 weevils per plant) was observed in the month of September. Among, four selected rootstocks viz., M9Pajam, M27, M9T337 and M9T339, the cumulative mean weevils per rootstock recorded was highest (6.48 ±1.98 weevils) in M9Pajam and the lowest (5.62 ±1.60 weevils per plant) in M9T339 throughout the season. The data generated, further revealed that the weevil population exhibited positive and significant correlation with maximum temperature (r=0.509, 0.527, 0.497, 0.538 and 0.490, 0.494, 0.472, 0.522) and minimum temperature (r=0.771, 0.666, 0.689, 0.728 and 0.757, 0.790, 0.751, 0.757), negative non-significant correlation with rainfall (r=-0.291, -0.308, -0.595, -0.431 and -0.351, -0.368, -0.283, -0.425) and positive but non-significant correlation with relative humidity morning (r=0.199, 0.195, 0.164, 0.249 and 0.310, 0.364, 0.328, 0.312) and relative humidity evening (r=0.156, 0.483, 0.335, 0.374 and 0.294, 0.113, 0.395, 0.108) on varieties viz., Red Velox, Gala Redlum, Super Chief & Pinnova and rootstocks viz., M9Pajam, M27, M9T337 & M9T339, respectively. The studies on different developmental stages of green weevil revealed that the eggs laid by female adults of green weevil hatch in 9 to 16 days. The total grub period of 19.51-21.00 days and the average pupal period of 11.10 ± 0.5 days was recorded. The mean adult longevity of 29.21 ± 1.74 days was recorded. The morphometric studies on different developmental stages of green weevil revealed that the average size of egg was 0.52 ± 0.02 mm, while as first, second, third, fourth and fifth instar larvae have an average size of 0.70 ± 0.01, 0.86 ± 0.03, 2.72 ± 0.12, 3.71 ± 0.10, 4.41 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. The mean size of pupa was found to be 4.05 ± 0.23 mm. The female adults were larger with the mean size of 5.71 ± 0.19 mm than male adults with the average size of 4.54 ± 0.15 mm. The average size of coxa + trochanter, femur, tibia, tarsus + pretarsus recorded was 0.68 ± 0.04, 1.13 ± 0.12, 1.37 ± 0.06, 1.04 ± 0.13 mm, respectively and the mean size of antenna noted was 2.99 ± 0.07 mm. Among the pesticides evaluated against green weevil, all the treatments were found statistically superior over the control, highest per cent mortality (86.58 %) of green weevil was recorded in Imidacloprid 17.8 SL followed by Chlorfenapyr 10 SC (83.42%) and Cypermethrin 5 EC + Chlorpyriphos 50 EC (81.90%) however, it was least found in control (1.69 %). The order of efficacy of treatments evaluated against green weevil was recorded as Imidacloprid 17.8 SL > Chlorfenapyr 10 SC = Cypermethrin 5 EC + Chlorpyriphos 50 EC > Dimethoate 30 EC > Quinolphos 25 EC > Fipronil 5 SC > Thiamethoxam 25 WG > Emamectin benzoate 5 SG > Bauveria bassiana 1.5 WP.ThesisItem Open Access Attraction and competition of two fruit flies and impact of gamma radiations for Bactrocera cucurbitae(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Sabiha Hafeez; Barkat HussainFruit flies are considered as the worst quarantine pests across the globe and is the cause of concern for fruit trade. Olfactometry bioassays reveled that sucrose 5% (wt/vol) recorded the highest attraction of Bactocera cucurbitae and Bactocera dorsalis. The highest mortality was recorded @ 80Gy and 90Gy doses of gamma radiations to the pupae of Bactrocera cucurbitae and the LC50 value was also calculated. Besides, at 10, 20 and 30 Gy doses of gamma radiation, high emergence rates of B. cucurbitae was observed and 30 Gy was the sterility dose for the B. cucurbitae.Intra and interspecific competition depicted that pupal weight and survival rates of Bactocera cucurbitae and Bactocera dorsalis were higher at low larval densities as compared to higher larval densities,ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Biology and Management of Melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) on Cucumber(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Bhat, Rabia Aziz; Mir, Sajad HussainThe present studies entitled “Studies on Biology and Management of Melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) on Cucumber” were carried out at Research laboratory and Research farm of Division of Entomology, FoA Wadura, during the year 2022. Studies on biology of melon fruit fly, B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) revealed that the average duration of incubation, maggot, prepupal and pupal period varied between 2.01±0.67, 5.45±1.28, 1.13±0.60 and 7.79±1.45 days, respectively. Pre-oviposition and oviposition period ranged between 12.3±2.36 and 17.57±5.50 days respectively, during July to August. The fecundity varied between 52-90 eggs, hatching percentage was 83-88%, while as sex ratio (Male: Female) in B. cucurbitae was recorded as 0.88-1.30. Morphometric measurements of life stages of B. cucurbitae revealed that freshly laid eggs were glistening white, slightly curved, elongated and tapering at one end, while rounded at the other end. The mean length and breadth of the egg was 1.11±0.18 and 0.27±0.04 mm. The first and second instar maggots measured on an average 2.30±0.98 and 5.62±1.24 mm in length and 0.35±0.10 and 1.25±0.16 mm in breadth. The full grown maggot was mobile and measured 8.95±0.95 and 2.08±0.46 mm in length and breadth. The melon fly puparium was found to be barrel shaped, eleven segmented and measured on an average 5.09±0.44 and 2.04±0.26 mm in length and breadth. The average length and breadth (with expanded wings) of male was 7.48±0.74 and 12.39±1.56 mm, whereas, the female measured on an average 9.22±0.75 and 15.37±1.08 mm in length and breadth (with expanded wings). Among the various protein baits tested from July to October during the year 2022, protein hydrolysate, soya powder and molasses, were good sources of protein and were promising in attracting adult melon fruit flies. T4 (Protein hydrolysate 10 ml) + Cue lure (1 ml) + Dimethoate 30 EC (1 ml) proved to be the most efficient and the mean trap was 21.55 flies/trap, followed by T1 (Soya powder (10g) + Cue lure (1ml) + Dimethoate 30 EC (1ml) i.e., 17.11 flies/trap and least number of insects were trapped in T5 (Control) i.e., 7.59 flies/trap. Yellow and green sticky traps attracted significantly high number of B. cucurbitae i.e., 12.27 and 10.06 flies/trap, while as blue and white sticky traps were least effective, attracting considerably lower number of melon fruit flies i.e. 4.45 and 5.65 flies/trap. Yellow and green coloured spherical traps attracted significantly high number of B. cucurbitae i.e., 13.16 and 10.78 flies/trap and the least number were captured by orange trap i.e., 6.37 flies/trap. Among the transparent manual traps, the traps that were hung at 2m height captured significantly higher number of B. cucurbitae followed by those hung at 2.5m (10.74 flies/trap) and 1.5m (8.85 flies/trap) and the least were captured by the trap hung at 1m (3.49 flies/trap).ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of Local Strains of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Fruit Flies(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Pavithra T.R.; Mir, Sajad HussainABSTRACT The present studies entitled “Evaluation of Local Strains of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Fruit Flies” were carried out under laboratory conditions of Division of Entomology, FoA Wadura, during the year 2022. The four local strains of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) viz., Heterorhabditis casmirica SKUAST 101,H.casmirica SKUAST 103, H. bacteriophora MK256358 and H.casmirica SKUA ST 104 was tested against (3rd instar maggots, pre-pupa, pupa) of Bactrocera cucurbitae and Bactrocera tau. H.casmirica SKUAST 101 applied at 25, 50, 75 and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) caused mortality to 3rd instar maggots of B. cucurbitae was 41.66, 58.33, 66.66 and 66.66 respectively and in B. tau was 33.33, 41.66, 50and 58.33 respectively. In pre-pupa of B. cucurbitae was 33.33, 50, 58.33 and 58.33 respectively and B. tau was 25, 33.33, 33.33 and 41.66. In pupa of B. cucurbitae was 0, 0, 8.33 and 8.33 respectively and B.tau was 0, 0, 0 and 8.33 at 24 hours post inoculation level. H.casmirica SKUAST 103 resulted mortality of maggots of B. cucurbitae was 33.33, 41.66, 58.33 and 58.33. So, the maggots of B. tau were 25, 33.33, 41.66 and 41.66, the pre-pupa of B. cucurbitaewas33.33, 41.66, 50 and 58.33 and the B.tau of pre-pupa was 16.66, 25, 33.33 and 33.33. There was no mortality in case of pupa in both B. cucurbitae and B. tau with the same inoculum level. H. bacteriophora MK256358 showed mortality of maggots of B. cucurbitae was 16.66, 25, 33.33, and 41.66. So, the maggots of B. tau were 25, 33.33, 50, and 58.33 the pre-pupa of B. cucurbitaewas8.33, 16.66, 16.66 and 25 and the B.tauof pre-pupa was 8.33, 25, 41.66 and 50. There was no mortality in case of pupa in both Bactroceraspecies with the same inoculum level, and this strain was moderately effective. H.casmirica SKUAST 104 caused mortality of maggots of B. cucurbitae was 16.66, 25, 41.66 and 50. the maggots of B. tau was 8.33, 25, 25 and 33.33 the pre-pupa of B. cucurbitaewas8.33, 8.33, 16.66 and 25 and the B.tau of pre-pupa was 0, 8.33, 8.33 and 16.66 and there was no mortality in pupa of B. cucurbitae and the pupa of B.tau was 0, 0, 0 and 8.33 and this strain was least effective as compare to the three strains. Median lethal concentration (LC50) varied across the different nematode strains. At 24 hours post inoculation about 56.45 IJs of Heterorhabditis casmirica SKUAST 101 were found sufficient to kill 50% population of 3rd instar maggots of B. cucurbitaewhere as in case of H. casmirica SKUAST 103, H. bacteriophora MK256358 and H.casmirica SKUAST 104 the same target was achieved with 71.38, 79.17 and 92.12 IJs and the B.tau was 75.24, 98.52, 105.66, and 119.98 respectively. pre-pupa of B. cucurbitae62.20, 68.64, 91.61and 117.60 IJs and the B.tau was68.64, 75.24, 127.27 and 148.25 respectively. pupa of B. cucurbitae127.27, 0, 0 and 158.68, IJs and the B.tau was 158.68, 0, 0 and 178.12 respectively, LC50 values for 3rd instar maggots, pre-pupa, pupa of B. tau required higher number of IJs at each time interval in comparison to 3rd instar maggots, pre-pupa, pupa of B. cucurbitae.Median lethal time (LT50) was found lower for the 3rd instar maggots, pre-pupa, pupa of B. cucurbitae as compared to 3rd instar maggots, pre-pupa, pupa of B. tau. Heterorhabditis casmirica SKUAST 101 applied at 25 IJs killed 50% population of 3rd instar maggots, of B. cucurbitae and in H.casmirica SKUAST 103, H. bacteriophora MK256358 and H.casmirica SKUAST 104 the same target was achieved with48, 54, 64 and 74 hours and the B.tau were 56, 62, 72 and 84hours respectively, and in pre-pupa of B. cucurbitae was 66, 78, 82 and 90 hours and the B.tau was 72, 82, 84 and 96hours respectively, and in pupa of B. cucurbitae was 116, 124, 128 and 134 hours and the B.tau were 117, 128, 130 and 138 respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Insect Attractants on Pollination and Yield of brown sarson (Brassica Campestris L.)(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Nadeem Nissar; Dar, Showket AhmadBrown sarson (Brassica campestris L.) is one of the most significant oilseed crop cultivated in India. It has compound raceme inflorescence with hermaphrodite flowers which are self-incompatible. However, it requires pollen for pollination from other brassicae crop flowers with the help of insect pollinators. Being highly cross pollinated, brown sarson attracts diverse insect species resulting in efficient pollination of the crop. An effort to find the effect of indigenous attractants on brown sarson flowers for efficient pollination to determine the impact on foraging characteristics, yield attributes and biochemical characteristics were taken into consideration in the present investigation entitled “Effect of Insect Attractants on Pollination and Yield of Brown sarson (Brassica campestris L.)”. The work was carried out at Experimental Farm, Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-K Wadura from 2022 to 2023. The study revealed total 16 insect species belonging to orders Hymenoptera (6 Species), Diptera (5 Species), Lepidoptera (2 Species), Coleoptera (1 Species), Hemiptera (1 Species) and Odonata (1 Species) were visiting to brown sarson for pollination. Total of nine levels of attractants were taken and the highest foraging behaviour was recorded by Lassioglossum marginatum (Brull, 1832) exhibiting maximum abundance (23.3 ± 2.76), visitation rate (2.33 ± 0.67) and per cent visitation rate (3.28 ± 0.69) at Jaggery 10 per cent. Species, L. marginatum showed an increased abundance, visitation rate and per cent visitation by 64.08, 64.08 and 56.19 per cent, respectively over control at Jaggery 10%. Further, at two different flowering stages (20 and 50 per cent) the mean abundance, visitation rate and per cent visitation rates were also found highest at Jaggery 10 per cent for all other insect pollinators visiting brown sarson. The lowest foraging behaviour was observed under caged conditions recording no abundance, visitation rate and per cent visitation rate at both flowering stage. Lowest time (10.57 ± 0.23 sec.) spend on inflorescence were showed by Apis cerana indica while as, highest time period of 20.2 ± 1.21 seconds were spent by L. marginatum. In case of yield, highest per cent increase in yield (quintal/hectare) by 54.5 per cent over control was recorded under jaggery 10 per cent, suggesting that jaggery 10 per cent performed best among all nine levels of treatments used. While as, water and sugar syrup 5 per cent showed minimum yield increase of 15.7 and 25.40 per cent, respectively over control. Lowest yield (-4.18 per cent reduced over control) were recorded under caged conditions. As compared to control, test weight, per cent pod setting, number of seeds per pod and plant height increase by 73.59, 34.31, 112.5 and 20.88 per cent, respectively at jaggery 10 per cent solution. However, per cent wrinkled seeds decrease by 88.95 per cent as compared to control under jaggery 10 per cent. The chlorophyll content were reduced by 24 per cent in jaggery 10 per cent (34.62 ± 1.05) over control; while as, it got increased under caging by 2.23 per cent. The vitamin C showed any increase of 84.52 per cent over control at jaggery 10 per cent treatment. While as, lowest Vitamin C (reduced by 21.42 per cent) content were found under caging conditions over control. Overall, study showed that use of insect attractants strongly lure insect pollinators toward brown sarson for efficient pollination and has statistically significant impacts on yield characteristics, vegetative parameters and Vitamin C at the cost of chlorophyll content. Therefore, we conclude that induced insect pollination of brown sarson is very important to increase the overall production to bridge the oil seed deficit gap in Jammu and Kashmir.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Combination with Biorational Insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera on Tomato(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Masrat Ali; Gani, MudasirThe tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most damaging insect pest that attacks more than 182 plant species worldwide. It attacks the leaves, buds, flowers and fruits of the tomato plant and is mostly managed by chemical insecticides in Kashmir, Therefore, the study entitled “Evaluation of Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) in Combination with Biorational Insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera on Tomato” was carried out to determine the efficacy of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) in combination with the half doses of Spinetoram and Emamectin benzoate with the logic to reduce the use of insecticides for the management of H. armigera. The sub-lethal doses of HearNPV were found to cause significant increase in the pupal period, ovipositional period and incubation period, whereas, a significant decrease was observed in the larvae pupated, adult emergence, fecundity, hatchability of the eggs and adult longevity of both males and females of the H. armigera. The effect of sub-lethal doses of HearNPV on the developmental biology and reproductive attributes of the F1 progeny of parental population treated H. armigera were significantly less as compared to the direct treated population. The field evaluation of HearNPV in combination with half doses of Spinetoram and Emamectin benzoate in tomato crop revealed that the highest mortality of H. armigera larvae was observed with the HearNPV + Spinetorem (92.26%) followed by HearNPV + Emamectin benzoate (87.90%), Spinetorem (71.10%), Emamectin benzoate (69.54%) and HearNPV alone (66.52%). The results revealed the synergistic effect of HearNPV in combination with half dose of Spinetorem and Emamectin benzoate and hence these combinations can be used for the biorational management of H. armigera. It is concluded that apart from lethal effect, the use of HearNPV also leads to debilitating effect on treated survivors and reduces population of this pest in successive generations and the application of HearNPV in combination with half dose of Spinetorem is highly effective for the management of H. armigera.
