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Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (renamed as Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in June, 2001) was established on 1st November, 1978.The College of Agriculture (established in May, 1966) formed the nucleus of the new farm University. It is ICAR accredited and ISO 9001:2015 certified institution. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has ranked this University at eleventh place among all farm universities of the country.
The University has been given the mandate for making provision for imparting education in agriculture and other allied branches of learning, furthering the advancement of learning and prosecution of research and undertaking extension of such sciences, especially to the rural people of Himachal Pradesh.
Over the years, this University has contributed significantly in transforming the farm scenario of Himachal Pradesh. It has developed human resources, varieties and technologies and transferred these to farming community enabling the State to receive the “Krishikarman award” of Govt. of India four times in row for food grain production among small states of the country. Today, the State has earned its name for hill agricultural diversification and the farming community has imposed its faith in the University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Efficacy of bioformulations against cutworm, Agrotis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)(palampur, 2019-07-15) Joshi, Manish kumar; Verma, K. S.The present investigation entitled “Efficacy of bioformulations against cutworm, Agrotis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)” was undertaken during 2018-2019 in the Department of Entomology, CSK HPKV, Palampur to assess the intrinsic toxicity of different bioformulations viz., Dashparni ark, Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra and garlic+ ginger+ mint mixture at concentration ranges from 2.5 to 40 per cent against the first, second and third instar larvae of A. ipsilon by leaf dip methods of bioassay. Based on LC50 values, the order of toxicity of bioformulations against first, second and third instar was observed as: Dashparni ark (8.28, 9.82, 11.69%) > Brahmastra (10.38, 11.58, 15.08%) > Agniastra (11.19, 13.21, 17.32%) > Neemastra (14.53, 15.43, 20.40%) > garlic + ginger + mint mixture (16.66, 19.01, 23.04%, respectively). The feeding inhibition (FI) studies of different bioformulations concentration ranges from 1.5 to 24 per cent were evaluated against the fourth, fifth and sixth instar larvae of A. ipsilon. Based on FI50 values, the order of feeding inhibition of bioformulations tested against the fourth, fifth and sixth instar larvae was observed as: Dashparni ark (5.11, 5.53, 7.08%) > Brahmastra (5.54, 5.76, 7.29%) > Agniastra (5.76, 6.17, 7.46%) > Neemastra (6.29, 6.67, 7.85%) > garlic + ginger + mint mixture (6.90, 7.39, 8.89%, respectively). Laboratory studies revealed that at recommended concentration (10%) of different bioformulations used against fourth instar larvae impaired the normal development of A. ipsilon by prolonging the larval period of fourth, fifth and sixth instar i.e. 3.55, 5.50 and 8.65 days in Dashparni ark as compared to control 2.45, 4.50 and 7.65 days, respectively. In Dashparni ark, there was 7.84 per cent increase in pupal period over control, reducing male and female longeivity, shortening the oviposition period and reducing the fecundity by 13.3 per cent in Dashparni ark i.e. 1085 eggs as compared to 1250 eggs in control. Evaluation of bioformulations against A. ipsilon in pot experiment under laboratory conditions revealed that the application of bioformulations (10%) in the potato seedling tray reduced the plant cut by fourth instar larvae to 69.24 per cent in Dashparni ark followed by Brahmastra (61.53%), Agniastra (49.24%), Neemastra (41.53%) and garlic + ginger + mint mixture (29.24%) over control. Based on the outcome of the present study, it was concluded that organic products have potential in causing mortality in the early stages of larval development besides impairing growth and development of later instar larvae. Among five organic products, Dashparni ark was observed to be the most effective treatment against the test insect.ThesisItem Open Access Bioecology and management of rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) infesting paddy in Himachal Pradesh(Palampur, 2017-06-27) Chhavi; Sharma, Pawan K.The present investigation entitled “Bioecology and management of rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) infesting paddy in Himachal Pradesh” was undertaken in the Department of Entomology, CSKHPKV, Palampur and Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during 2014-2016. Under laboratory conditions, C. medinalis completed three generations from August to mid-December. The life cycle of C. medinalis consisted of four distinct stages viz., egg, larva, pupa and adult, each having an average duration ranging between 3.70-4.50, 17.50-20.50, 7.00-7.50 and 6.40-7.40 (female); 2.50-3.30 (male), respectively, during different generations. The fertility parameters worked out for first, second and third generation resulted in the net reproductive rate (R0 ) of 29.16, 17.94 and 17.72 female eggs per female with the corresponding true generation time of 37.06, 37.99 and 39.38 days, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was maximum in the first generation (0.091) and minimum in the third generation (0.073). The field collected adults of last generation when reared under laboratory conditions to study the survival of pest, failed to lay eggs. However, a few individuals of C. medinalis larvae survived in winter till January on paddy plants and weeds and a limited feeding was observed during this period. Survey for the incidence of C. medinalis and its associated natural enemies in four locations viz., Sundernagar, Nurpur, Jogindernagar and Palampur of Himachal Pradesh was conducted during 2015 and 2016 at different time intervals. The pest appearance was noticed in the second fortnight of July at Nurpur, Palampur and Jogindernagar. Whereas, at Sundernagar, the pest activity initiated during first fortnight of July and population of adults was at its peak in the first fortnight of September in all the four locations. From the correlation studies between adult catch and abiotic factors, it was concluded that the temperature (maximum and minimum) favours the C. medinalis build-up. However, RH (maximum and minimum) and rainfall had a negative impact on C. medinalis abundance. During survey, Cotesia cypris (Nixon) was found to be the most dominating larval parasitoid associated with C. medinalis. Fifty natural enemies were encountered in paddy ecosystem of all the four locations, out of which twenty four were found associated with C. medinalis. Spiders viz., Araneus pseudosturmii (Yin et al.), Micropholcus fauroti (Simon) and Runcinia ghorpadei (Tikader) were recorded for the first time from India. Based upon the Shannon index, diversity of natural enemies was maximum at Palampur (2.58-2.65) and minimum at Nurpur (1.52-1.89). The leaf damage and losses inflicted to paddy due to different release levels of C. medinalis viz., 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 larvae per hill released at panicle initiation stage revealed that maximum leaf infestation was 24.48 per cent at highest release level (10 larvae/ hill) and lowest (6.94%) at release level of 2 larvae per hill and per cent avoidable losses varied from 0.94-28.93 per cent. Among forty three genotypes evaluated against C. medinalis, thirty three genotypes were found moderately resistant, nine as moderatey susceptible and one as susceptible. None of the genotypes was found to be free from leaf folder damage. Among the six treatments of Trichogramma chilonis, maximum control was achieved when 1,50,000 parasitized eggs per hectare were released. However, this treatment was found to be at par with 1,00,000 and 1,25,000 parasitized eggs per hectare. Out of six insecticides and one biopesticides evaluated against C. medinalis, flubendiamide (24 g a.i./ ha), indoxacarb (30 g a.i./ ha) and lambda-cyhalothrin (12.5 g a.i./ ha) were found to be efficacious. However, biopesticide, Bt (1.5 kg/ ha) was found to be least effective for the control of pest. Incremental output input ratio was highest in case of lamba-cyhalothrin and lowest in BtThesisItem Open Access Bioecology and Management of Maladera insanabilis (Brenske) in Himachal Pradesh.(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2019-09) Gupta, Ritesh Kumar; Chandel, R.S.The beetles of Maladera species were collected from host trees and on UV and VL light traps at Kullu and Palampur during 2018-19. The Sericini beetles accounted for 22.45 and 33.40 per cent during March–September, and leading species were M. insanabilis, Maladera thomsoni, and Maladera sinaeivi. At Palampur, M. insanabilis, M. thomsoni and M. sinaeivi comprised 46.62-49.51, 38.57-41.02 and 7.52-11.7 per cent on light traps, whereas at Kullu, these species accounted for 29.75-34.63, 50.65-58.36 and 6.23-9.09 per cent of total Sericini beetle catch, respectively. The catches of M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni were 25-31.25 and 31.25-76.07 per cent higher on UV traps as compared to VL traps. On host trees, M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni were most predominant species at Palampur, and Kullu, respectively. To study food preference of beetles, toon and peach were found to be the most preferred host for M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni beetles in multi-choice tests. The biology of M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni was studied in laboratory at Palampur. The average length x width of newly laid eggs of M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni was recorded to be 1.16 ± 0.01 x 0.83 ± 0.03 mm and 1.14 ± 0.02 x 0.73 ± 0.04 mm. There are three larval instars, and the body lengths of the fully fed I-III instar grubs of M. insanabilis measured 3.08-4.43, 7.73-7.98 and 11.29-13.03 mm and the average width of head capsule was 0.91±0.01, 1.68±0.03 and 2.65±0.05 mm. The width of head capsule ranged from 0.85-0.99 mm. The fully fed I-III instar grubs of M. thomsoni measured 2.98-4.21, 7.15-7.45 and 8.53- 9.15 mm, and width of head capsule averaged 0.89±0.01, 1.23±0.01 and 1.91±0.04 mm, respectively. Duration of the first, second and third instar grubs was 20-25, 23-28 and 180-190 days in M. insanabilis. In M. thomsoni, the first, second and third instar grubs occupied 18-20, 20-24 and 174-189 days, respectively. Total larval period was recorded to be of 225-243 and 212-233 days for M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni, respectively. The detailed description of the labrum, clypeus, mandibles, epipharynx, maxillae, legs, spiracles and rasters of the third instar grubs is given with the help of suitable diagrams. The rasters of M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni have a single, transverse row of spines arranged in a crescent shape. In M. insanabilis, the length x width of pupae was recorded to be 12.04 ± 0.39 x 6.81 ± mm, whereas in M. thomsoni, the length x width of pupa ranged from 10.81 ± 0.18 x 6.49 ± 0.07 mm. The pupal period was 13.20 ± 1.61 days and 11.60 ± 1.48 days. The adult formation occurred during May in M. insanabilis, and in April for M. thomsoni. The beetles of M. insanabilis are reddish-brown and in case of M. thomsoni, yellowish brown to light brown in colour. The females (8.32 x 5.38mm - 4.47 x 3.183 mm) were slightly larger than the males (7.32 x 4.47mm - 4.48 x 2.43 mm). The antennal clubs revealed significant differences in size among species and sexes. In males of M. insanabilis and M. thomsoni the length of lamellae was 0.456 and 0.294 mm, and the corresponding value was 0.398 and 0.269 mm in female beetles. In forelegs, the claws are clefted and bifid in females, and trifid in males. Male genitalia are trumpet shaped in M. thomsoni and more or less flask shaped in M. insanabilis. Female beetle survived for 30.20±2.65 days in M. insanabilis and 35.50±2.57 days in M. thomsoni. The mean longevity of male beetles was recorded to be 26.20±2.15 days and 26.30±3.11 days, respectively. Against M. insanabilis, four insecticides and three natural products were tested. The LC50 values of dimethoate, flubendiamide, chlorpyriphos and spinosad were calculated to be 7.08, 109.16, 128.62 and 153.62 ppm. In case of natural products, Agniastra, Brahmastra and Neemastra were evaluated, and FD50 values were calculated to be 5.62, 7.71 and 11.01 per cent, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access BIOEFFICACY OF NEWER INSECTICIDES AGAINST LEPIDOPTERAN PESTS AND THEIR RESIDUE DYNAMICS ON CABBAGE(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2019-06-18) Chowdary, Namburi Mounica; Sharma, Prem ChandField experiment was conducted at Experimental Research Farm of Department of Entomology, CSKHPKV, Palampur during the rabi season 2018-19 to determine the bioefficacy of insecticides against Plutella xylostella and their residue dynamics on cabbage, variety Pusa Cabbage-1. The bioefficacy of insecticides comprising chlorantraniliprole, cypermethrin, diafenthiuron, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, novaluron, azadirachtin, spinosad and Bacillus thuringiensis was determined. After two sprays, chlorantraniliprole @ 10g a.i./ha recorded minimum larval population with 1.21 larvae/plant followed by spinosad @ 15 g a.i./ha (1.43) and indoxacarb @ 40 g a.i./ha (1.6). The treatments with high larval population were azadirachtin (5.56 larvae/plant) followed by Bt (5.47). The per cent reduction of larval population over untreated check was highest in chlorantraniliprole (81.02%), followed by spinosad (78.13%) and indoxacarb (78.02%). The lowest per cent reduction was found in the plots treated with Bt (45.14%) and azadirachtin (45.52%). Incremental cost benefit ratio was maximum (1:18.44) in chlorantraniliprole followed by spinosad (1:16.33) and diafenthiuron (1:13.96). The lowest incremental cost benefit ratio was found with novaluron (1:2.48). The initial deposits of diafenthiuron, indoxacarb and novaluron on cabbage heads were found to be 0.604, 0.309 and 0.218 mg/kg, respectively which were below the quantification limits on 7th day after spray. The half-life values were calculated to be 1.05, 1.73 and 1.14 days, the safety intervals were found to be 0.77, 0.13 and 1.91 days, for diafenthiuron, indoxacarb and novaluron, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access MONITORING RESISTANCE TO ACARICIDES IN TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (KOCH) UNDER PROTECTED CULTIVATION.(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07-23) Titiksha; Sood, Ajay K.Investigations on “Monitoring resistance to acaricides in Tetranychus urticae (Koch) under protected cultivation” were carried out during 2018-19. The study was aimed to determine the level of resistance in field populations of T. urticae and to formulate a strategy for resistance management. Intrinsic toxicity of three chemical acaricides (fenazaquin, hexythiazox and propargite), one biopesticide (azadirachtin) and two natural products (Tamarlassi and Darekastra) against T. urticae was determined. For this, mite population was reared in laboratory for more than 25 generations without exposing it to any chemicals. The median lethal concentration for azadirachtin, Darekastra, fenazaquin, hexythiazox, propargite and Tamarlassi was 0.00013, 4.01176, 0.00125, 0.00056, 0.00681 and 2.49950 per cent, azadirachtin being most toxic and Darekastra the least. Field populations of T. urticae collected from six localities in Zone I and II of Himachal Pradesh revealed maximum resistance ratio to exhibit in Una population for all the chemical acaricides(3) followed by Kullu(3) > Solan(2) > Sundarnager(2) > Kangra(3) and least for Palampur(3). Among acaricides, T. urticae populations were found most resistant to propargite (3.47 to 5.63) followed by fenazaquin (3.62 to 4.26) and hexythiazox (1.88 to 2.45). Fenazaquin resistant strain was developed by giving selection pressure based on the LC50 values till the extremely high level of resistance was achieved after eight generations of selectivity and was designated as fenazaquin resistant strain (FR-strain) exhibiting extremely high level of resistance (216.74). Growth and development parameters studied for FR- and S-strain revealed the FR- strain to be bigger in size but their generation time, adult longevity and fecundity were reduced significantly when compared to S-strain. Resistance incorporated in FR-strain was not stable and declined by 26.7 per cent in three generation of non-selectivity. FR-strain exhibited low cross resistance to azadirachtin, Darekastra, hexythiazox, propargite and Tamarlassi, being non- significant. The results indicated that T. urticae can quickly develop resistance to fenazaquin. It also exhibited low level of cross resistance, being non-significant to acaricides belonging to different mode of action and natural products suggesting their incorporation in mite resistance management plan.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF BOTANICALS AND RICE GERMPLASM AGAINST RICE HISPA DICLADISPA ARMIGERA (OLIVIER).(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07-22) Kamini; Srivastava, AjaiThe present investigations entitled “Evaluation of botanicals and rice germplasm against rice hispa, Dicladispa armigera (Olivier) were undertaken at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan and adjoining farmer’s field, Jia during 2018. In the present studies, seven botanicals viz., camphor oil, cedarwood oil, eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, neemazal, melia, eupatorium along with standard check monocrotophos @ 1000, 1000, 1000, 1000, 1000, 2500, 2500 and 850 ml ha-1, respectively were evaluated. Order of efficacy of insecticides among botanicals was cedarwood oil > neemazal > camphor oil > eucalyptus oil > lemongrass oil > melia > eupatorium. Among botanicals cedarwood oil @ 1000 ml ha-1 was found most effective and was statistically at par with standard check monocrotophos and also with neemazal. Eupatorium @ 2500 ml ha-1 was found least effective for the management of rice hispa. The results on the yield obtained in case of botanicals revealed that highest yield of rice grains were recorded from plots treated with cedarwood oil (49.20 q ha-1) followed by neemazal (48.80 q ha-1). The per cent increase in yield of rice over other botanicals and untreated control was highest in cedarwood oil (26.80%). Among botanicals incremental cost benefit ratio was highest in neemazal (1:6.6) followed by cedarwood oil (1:6.4) and lowest in eupatorium (1:3.3). In screening trial, among sixty four rice genotypes no entry was found free from hispa attack. The leaf infestation due to rice hispa varied from 15.00 to 100.00 per cent. The rating of rice genotypes on the basis of rice hispa grading scale revealed that 5 rice genotypes viz., Naggar Dhan, HPR 2613, Sukara Dhan, HPR 2617 and ACC 19186 were found resistant and one rice genotype (IC 3131180) was moderately susceptible. Thirty eight rice genotypes were found susceptible and twenty genotypes were highly susceptible. No egg laying was observed in moderately resistant rice genotypes. The highest yield of 20.00 g per hill was obtained in HPR 2613 whereas lowest yield of 1.80 g per hill was obtained in Roda Dhan.ThesisItem Open Access POPULATION BUILD UP AND MANAGEMENT OF PADDY BLACK BEETLE, HETERONYCHUS LIODERES REDT.(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07-22) Ahad, Abdul; Srivastava, AjaiThe present study entitled “Population build up and management of paddy black beetle, Heteronychus lioderes Redt.” was conducted at Rice and Wheat Research Centre of CSK HPKV Malan during kharif, 2018. Population build up studies on paddy black beetle were carried out by employing different methods viz., pit method, per cent tiller infestation, light trap catches. The incidence of black beetle started appearing during3rd week of July at farmer’s field (Tikkri). Black beetle reached the peak population during first week of August with 48.4 per cent tiller infestation. The peak population of beetle was during 1st week of August with 3.8 adults in five pits. Black beetle started appearing in 3rd week of July as recorded through light trap and the pest remained active up to 3rd week of October. The relationship of population build up parameters of black beetle with abiotic factors of environment revealed significant positive correlation of light trap population with minimum temperature relative humidity and rainfall while a non significant positive correlation was observed with maximum temperature. In pit method minimum temperature and relative humidity (morning) were significantly positive correlated but maximum temperature and rainfall had non significant positive correlation. For screening of rice genotype against black beetle, sixty entries were raised at farmer’s field, Tikkri and assessed in terms of per cent tiller infestation caused by paddy black beetle and converted to 0-9 scale. The results revealed that the no germplasm recorded damage score of 0 to 1. The entries namely T-23, Vallabh Basmati-24 recorded damage score of 3 and were designated as moderately resistant.The application of various insecticides and botanicals proved promising in checking black beetle infestation as compared to untreated control. In black beetle chlorpyriphos 20 EC (2.0 L ha-1) was the most effective treatment followed by carboufuran 3G (33 kg ha-1) and clothianidin 50 WDG (12 g ha-1) which were statistically similar. Among botanicals, Eupatorium 5% (2.5 L ha-1) recorded maximum tiller infestation and was found at par with eucalyptus oil (1 L ha-1). The grain yield in protected plots was maximum in chlorpyriphos 20 EC (35.33 q ha-1) and minimum in Eupatorium 5% (25.75 qha-1). Benefit: cost ratio (12.23:1) was maxiumum in chlorpyriphos treated plots.ThesisItem Open Access SEASONAL ABUNDANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SUCKING PESTS INFESTING OKRA.(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07) Kaushal, Shruti; Sharma, Pawan KumarThe present investigations entitled “Seasonal abundance and management of sucking pests infesting okra” were undertaken at Experimental Farm of Department of Entomology, CSK HPKV, Palampur during kharif 2018 and farmer’s field at Samloti. The activity of two sucking pests viz., Aphis gossypii and Amrasca biguttula biguttula on okra at Palampur initiated during second and third week of July, respectively and the pests remained associated with the crop till harvest i.e. third week of October. The peak populations of A. gossypii (101.3 aphids/plant) and A. biguttula biguttula (7.2 jassids/plant) were observed during second week of October and fourth week of August, respectively. Whereas, at Samloti the population of A. gossypii, A. biguttula biguttula and Tetranychus urticae started appearing during first week of June and the peak population of 64.4 aphids per plant was recorded during third week of September. The maximum number of jassids per plant (18.6) was observed during last week of August and T. urticae remained on okra crop for a short period having peak population of 11.2 mites per plant during second week of June. Analysis of correlation between weather factors and population of sucking pests on okra at Palampur showed that population of A. gossypii had a significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r = - 0.6545) and relative humidity (r = - 0.7646). Jassid population showed non-significant relationship with weather parameters. At Samloti, maximum temperature had significant negative effect on A. gossypii (r = - 0.6040) and A. biguttula biguttula (r = - 0.5144). T. urticae showed non-significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature whereas it was negative with relative humidity and rainfall. Efficacy of seven insecticides buprofezin (0.04%), chlorantraniliprole (0.005%) fenazaquin (0.025%), imidacloprid (0.004%), spiromesifen (0.02%), thiamethoxam (0.05%) and cypermethrin (0.014%) was tested against sucking pests infesting okra. The results revealed that imidacloprid (0.004%) was found to be most effective treatment against A. gossypii and A. biguttula biguttula amongst all the insecticides followed by thiamethoxam (0.05%). For the remaining treatments, the decreasing order of efficacy based on the per cent reduction in aphid population was buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, cypermethrin, fenazaquin and spriromesifen whereas in case of jassids the decreasing order of efficacy was cypermethrin, buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, spiromesifen and fenazaquin. Imidacloprid treated plots resulted in highest fruit yield and incremental cost benefit ratio followed by thiamethoxam, buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, cypermethrin, spiromesifen and fenazaquin. In the second trial, one biopesticide and five natural products were evaluated against sucking pests (aphids, jassids). The lowest population of aphids and jassids was recorded in azadirachtin followed by darekastra, rendering azadirachtin and darekastra to be efficacious against these pests.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT OF CUTWORMS Agrotis spp. IN MAIZE.(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07) Sidhu, Kawartej Singh; Sharma, S.D.The present investigation entitled “Management of cutworms Agrotis spp. in maize” was undertaken during Kharif 2018 at Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre (HAREC), Bajaura. Light traps were installed at two locations viz. Jhiri and Bajaura to find out the peak emergence period of the cutworms and it was concluded from the results that the peak emergence period of cutworms was from 2nd week of May to 3rd week of May at both the locations. The cutworm larvae were collected from nine localities of Kullu and Mandi districts from the maize crop during the month of May and June for identification of species and the results revealed the occurrence of two species of cutworm in the valley i.e. A. ipsilon and A. segetum, the former being dominant with 83.53 and 75.00 per cent of the total larval population in Kullu and Mandi districts, respectively. Maize growing areas of Mandi and Kullu district were surveyed to study the incidence of cutworms and the results revealed that the average cutworm incidence varied from 14.00 to 28.33 per cent in Mandi district and 10.00 to 22.33 per cent in Kullu district with the variation in the larval population of 0.67 to 2.67/ m2 in Mandi and 0.33 to 2.33/ m2 in Kullu district. The effect of sowing date and seed rate on the extent of damage by cutworms in maize was also studied and it was observed that higher attack of cutworms resulted in higher seed mortality (16.67%) when the crop was sown on 15th of May followed by 11.95 per cent in the crop sown on 30th of May followed by 7.96 per cent in the crop sown on 15th of June. The average grain yield from the crops sown on 15th of May was 43.15 q/ha, lower than the crops sown later, being maximum (57.39 q/ha) from the crop sown on 15th of June. It was also concluded that in lower Kullu valley areas sowing should be delayed till the first fortnight of June and in case it has to be done in the last week of May or first week of June, higher seed rate of 25 kg/ha should be used to compensate the damage caused by cutworms. Different insecticides and biopesticides were also evaluated against the cutworms and it was concluded that the treatment consisting of seed treatment with imidacloprid (6 ml/kg) followed by surface application of chlorpyriphos (2.0 ml/l) was the most effective treatment resulting in zero seedling mortality and thus recording 100 per cent reduction in the cutworm population.
