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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Impact of Bee Pollination on Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.)(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) BISWAS, DEBANAND; KUMAR, NEERAJThe current investigation titled “Studies on Impact of Bee Pollination on Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L).” was executed at the experimental farm of TCA, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), RPCAU, Pusa during two consecutive Kharif seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 with Rajendra Mishrikand -1 variety of Yam bean. Findings related to bees and important insect visitors, their relative abundance and foraging behavior and impact of bee pollination on Yam bean seed yield and the results have been outlined below: A total of 6 important insect species visiting Yam bean flowers were recorded during the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 from Yam bean flowers. Collected insect species were killed and dried preserved properly labelled. Based on the number of insect visitors recorded, the most frequent and important insect visitors were in hymenoptera order and hence were counted for observations viz. Giant Honeybee (Apis dorsata Fabricius 1793), Eastern honeybee (Apis cerana Fabricius 1798), Dwarf honeybee (Apis florea Fabricius 1787), European honeybee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758), Megachile sp. Fabricius 1781 and Carpenter bee (Xylocopa fenestrata Linnaeus 1758). Pooled mean population of Giant honeybee (Apis dorsata) was highest on 43rd SMW (15.50 insects/m2/10min) and during 13:00hrs (17.27 insects/m2/10min) of the day having Pooled mean population of 12.47 insects/m2/10min. Eastern honeybee (Apis cerana) population also attains peak on 43rd SMW (12.92 insects/m2/10min) and during 13:00hrs (13.94 insects/m2/10min) of the day with Pooled mean population of 10.79 insects/m2/10min. Dwarf honeybee (Apis florea) population attained peak on 44th SMW (10.52 insects/m2/10min) and at 13:00hrs (12.17 insects/m2/10min) of the day with mean population of 8.57 insects/m2/10min. European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) reaches peak on 43rd SMW (13.50 insects/m2/10min) and during 13:00hrs (14.30 insects/m2/10min) of the day and mean population of 11.31 insects/m2/10min. Population of Megachile sp. observed highest on 43rd SMW with mean population of 11.77 insects/m2/10min during 13:00hrs (12.67 insects/m2/10min) of the day with Pooled mean population of 9.28 insects/m2/10min. Carpenter bee (Xylocopa fenestrata) population was highest on 43rd SMW with mean population of 13.73 insects/m2/10min and during 13:00hrs (15.18 insects/m2/10min) of the with Pooled mean population 10.87 insects/m2/10min. Correlation and Regression studies of the Pooled data for all the observed bees and important insect visitors showed positive relation with average temperature and negatively related with average relative humidity. Apis dorsata showed positive and significantly correlation with average temperature and negatively non-significant with relative humidity in Pooled data (0.816* and -0.495), Apis cerana (0.894** and -0.608), Apis florea (0.817* and -0.367), Apis mellifera (0.792* and -0.434), Megachile sp. (0.837* and -0.483) and Xylocopa fenestrata (0.803* and -0.523) respectively. Regression coefficient (R2) recorded for Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, Apis florea, Apis mellifera, Megachile sp. and Xylocopa fenestrata for Pooled data (0.855, 0.918, 0.849, 0.895, 0.949, 0.772), respectively. Initiation time and Cessation time (Pooled mean) of Apis dorsata for both the season was 07:49hrs and 17:01hrs, respectively with duration of foraging (09:11hrs). Apis cerana (07:55hrs and 16:49hrs) with foraging duration (08:54hrs), Apis florea (07:58hrs and 16:45hrs) with duration of foraging (08:46hrs), Apis mellifera (07:51hrs and 16:49hrs), with duration of foraging (08:58hrs), Megachile sp. (08:06hrs and 16:33hrs), with foraging duration (08:26hrs). Xylocopa fenestrata (08:14hrs and 16:58hrs), with foraging duration (08:44hrs). The pollen load carried out by Apis mellifera (Pooled) was heaviest (11.68mg) at 07:00hrs and lightest (6.28mg) at 13:00hrs of the day. Also the mean pollen load by Apis mellifera during both the season was 9.20mg. Data on foraging rate (Pooled mean) reveals Apis dorsata on different dates was highest of 12.86 flowers/min with maximum during 11:00hrs (13.57flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (10.37flowers/min). Apis cerana attained peak of 10.50flowers/min with maximum during 13:00hrs (11.64 flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (8.22 flowers/min). Apis florea was attained highest of 10.23 flowers/min with maximum during 13:00hrs (11.86 flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (8.58flowers/min). Mean foraging rate of Apis mellifera attained highest of 10.14flowers/min with maximum during 11:00hrs (12.07flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (8.17flowers/min). Mean foraging rate of Megachile sp. attained peak of 9.66flowers/min with maximum during 13:00hrs (11.57flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (7.83 flowers/min). Mean foraging rate of Xylocopa fenestrata was highest of 13.18flowers/min with maximum during 13:00hrs (15.71flowers/min) and mean foraging rate (10.27 flowers/min). The Pooled mean Foraging speed of Apis dorsata during different dates was highest of 7.82 sec/flower with minimum at 13:00hrs (5.37sec/flower) and mean Foraging speed was 6.61 sec/flower. Apis cerana Foraging speed reached highest of 7.07 sec/flower with minimum at 11:00hrs (6.44sec/flower) with mean Foraging speed of Apis cerana (5.57 sec/flower). Apis florea Foraging speed was found minimum at 13:00hrs with mean Foraging speed of 4.39 sec/flower. Apis mellifera foraging speed reached highest of 7.22 sec/flower with minimum at 13:00hrs (5.40sec/flower) and mean Foraging speed of 5.65sec/flower. Megachile sp. reached highest of 7.45 sec/flower with minimum at 13:00hrs (6.49sec/flower) and mean Foraging speed of Megachile sp. (5.57 sec/flower). Xylocopa fenestrata Foraging speed reached highest of 5.35 sec/flower with minimum at 13:00hrs (4.22sec/flower) and mean Foraging speed of Xylocopa fenestrata was 3.41 sec/flower. Bees play a crucial role in seed production over the pollinator exclusion condition. Yield parameters of open pollination conditions are found to be superior over other pollination conditions. Pooled values showed that there is no relation between number of inflorescence/plant and number of flower/inflorescence and different pollination methods. Number of pod/inflorescence showed significant differences among the treatments i.e. open to all pollinators (8.45), pollinator exclusion (6.98) and bee pollination (7.45). Number of seeds/pod showed significant differences among the treatments i.e. open to all pollinators (8.02), pollinator exclusion (6.26) and bee pollination (6.94). Seed yield/plant observed maximum in open to all treatment (79.05kg/ha), followed by bee pollination treatment with 66.37kg/ha and pollinator exclusion treatment with 50.31kg/ha. All the treatments were significantly different and seed yield of Yam bean is highly influenced by different pollination methods. 100- Seed weight was observed maximum in open to all treatment (27.27g) and followed by bee pollination treatment with 26.71g and pollination exclusion treatment with 24.13g. Percent increase in seed yield was highest recorded in open to all treatment with 56.93%, and increase of 31.89% was observed in seed yield of bee pollination treatment over the pollinator exclusion treatment.ThesisItem Open Access FIELD EFFICACY, PERSISTENCE AND METABOLISM OF THIAMETHOXAM IN MUSTARD AGAINST APHID(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) SUJATHA, B.; Sahoo, S. K.Field assessment was done to evaluate the bioefficacy of thiamethoxam 25% WG at different doses at 12.5 (T1), 16.67 (T2), 25 (T3), 37.5 (T4), 50 (T5) g a.i. per ha, standard check of dimethoate 30% EC at 200 (T6) g a.i. per ha and untreated control (water spray) (T7) over Lipaphis erysimi sprayed twice with an interval of 10 days. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, T5, T4 and T3 gave lowest aphid population and were statistically at par in terms of their effectiveness followed by T6, T2, T1 and T7. The plots treated with thiamethoxam at 50 g a.i. per ha gave highest seed yield and benefits over the cost incurred and it was in line with the results of thiamethoxam 37.5 and 25 g a.i. per ha. The persistence and metabolism of thiamethoxam in mustard leaves, flowers and soil was studied following thiamethoxam application at 12.5, 16.67, 25, 37.5, 50 g a.i. per ha. Mustard leaves, flowers and soil samples were analyzed by Reverse phase-Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. During 2020-21, the initial deposits of thiamethoxam and its metabolites were found to be 2.20, 2.63, 4.43, 6.86 and 9.40 mg kg-1 in leaves collected at 0 (1 hr after application), however, during 2021-22, the residues were 2.17, 2.76, 4.32, 6.71 and 8.42 mg kg-1, respectively. During 2020-21, the initial deposits of thiamethoxam and its metabolites were found to be 1.43, 1.85, 2.63, 4.37 and 5.73 mg kg-1 in flowers collected at 0 (1 hr after application), however, during 2021-22, the residues were 1.36, 1.73, 2.54, 4.24 and 5.46 mg kg-1, respectively. The residue in mustard leaves and flowers reached below LOQ (0.05 mg kg-1) after 30 days of application of thiamethoxam during both the years. But in soils, residues of thiamethoxam reached LOQ after 30 days of treatment except when applied at 12.5 and 16.67 g a.i. per ha where it took 15 days to reach below LOQ. The samples of oil and seed cake did not reveal the presence of thiamethoxam residues at harvest during both the years. Samples of clay loam, silt loam and sandy loam soil were collected from different geographical locations of Bihar. Each soil samples were fortified at three levels of thiamethoxam i.e. 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1. The whole experiment was conducted at 25 ± 2°C under laboratory conditions. The limit of quantification of thiamethoxam and its metabolites was worked out to be 0.05 mg kg-1. The total residues of thiamethoxam and its metabolites in clay loam, silt loam and sandy loam soil after 7 days of its application @ 400 mg kg-1 were found to be 212.94, 191.01, 184.55 mg kg-1, respectively. The persistence of thiamethoxam was found to be more in clay loam followed by silt loam and sandy loam soil. Thiamethoxam after degradation resulted in the formation of clothianidin (main metabolite) followed by 1- methyl-3 nitroguanidine. Out of the various microbial isolates that were isolated from the soil and tested for thiamethoxam degradation, Bacillus cereus and Acinetobacter rudis were found to be prominent in degrading thiamethoxam as compared to control. Soil amended with B. cereus, A. rudis and consortium, the residues of thiamethoxam and its metabolites reached LOQ after 42 days of treatment when fortified at 50 mg kg-1 of soil whereas it took 56 days to reach LOQ when unamended.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Population Development on Pulse Grains and Eco-friendly Management of Pulse Beetle on Pigeon pea in Storage(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) NAKAMBAM, SONALI; Singh, P. P.In order to study the population development of pulse beetle on different pulse grains and eco-friendly management of pulse beetle on pigeon pea in storage, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted in the Entomology laboratory of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during the two consecutive years viz., 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Findings related to different aspects of the present investigation viz., ovipositional preference, adult emergence, mean developmental period, index of susceptibility, per cent and weight loss caused by C. chinensis on different pulse grains, efficacy of various oils, botanicals and insecticides and performance of different storage structures in pigeon pea storage have been outlined below: For assessment of population development of pulse beetle and quantitative losses caused by pulse beetle on different pulse grains, the trials were conducted on six different hosts (lentil, field pea, green gram, bengal gram, pigeon pea and black gram) replicated four times under Completely Randomised Block Design. The preference for egg laying by C. chinensis on different pulse hosts revealed that eggs laid per 50 grains ranged from 62.37 to 110.37 eggs/50 seeds and maximum oviposition was recorded on pigeon pea (110.37 eggs/50 seeds) while lowest was observed on lentil (62.37 eggs/50 seeds). Likewise, average egg count/seed was computed which resulted minimum and maximum number of eggs laid on lentil and pigeon pea with values 1.25 and 2.21 eggs per seed, respectively. Subsequently, emergence of adult beetles as well as per cent survival of adults emerged from different host grains recorded highest in pigeon pea with 99.88 numbers and 90.40 per cent while lentil recorded lowest in both the parameters recording 41.13 and 65.34 per cent, respectively. The development period of pulse beetle (C. chinensis) on six different hosts revealed that shortest mean developmental period of beetles from egg to adult was found in pigeon pea (25.64 days) while beetle development in lentil took longest period (34.76 days). The result on index of susceptibility showed pigeon pea and lentil as the most and least susceptible to C. chinensis with susceptibility index of 7.79 and 4.56, respectively. On the basis of categorization given by Dobie (1974) pigeon pea falls in moderately resistant category while lentil comes under resistant category. Assessment of grain damage as well as weight loss was carried out at different days interval. Per cent grain damage at 30 days after insect release (DAIR) revealed maximum grain damage in pigeon pea (16.84%) followed by green gram (14.97%), bengal gram (13.49%), black gram (11.77%), field pea (9.51%) and lentil (7.06%). At 60 days after insect release, pigeon pea recorded highest per cent grain damage with 37.62 per cent which was followed by green gram (32.07%), bengal gram (30.78%), black gram (22.71%), field pea (14.51%) and lentil (12.11%). Likewise at 90 and 120 days after insect release, pigeon pea recorded maximum with (60.41, 81.89%), green gram (54.56, 77.16%), bengal gram (50.63, 69.28%), black gram (31.24, 51.95%) and no significant difference was observed between field pea (16.87%) and lentil (15.45%) at 90 DAIR but at 120 DAIR, significant difference was recorded between field pea (31.45%) and lentil (23.83%). Per cent weight directly correlated with the per cent grain damage in the present findings and there was significant variation among all the host grains. Starting from the initial month (30 DAIR) till 120 DAIR, pigeon pea recorded maximum weight loss followed by green gram, bengal gram, black gram, field pea and lentil. The order of per cent weight loss in all the four months study period is as follows: Pigeon pea (10.94, 17.00, 33.86, 62.63%), green gram (9.33, 15.55, 29.24,56.53%), bengal gram (7.89,13.44, 28.37%), black gram (6.88, 12.50, 20.04, 50.25%), field pea (4.76, 11.21, 14.72, 31.42%) and lentil (3.74, 8.07, 11.80, 17.88%). Pigeon pea being widely cultivated pulse crop, the efficacy of various grain protectants including oils, botanicals and safer insecticides were assessed with regard to of reduced per cent egg laying, emergence of adult, per cent grain damage and weight loss for a duration of four months at monthly interval (30 to 120 DAIR). The series of experiments consisted of ten treatments including untreated control with three replications under Completely Randomised Block Design (CRBD). Among all the treatments lowest number of eggs were laid on seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seeds (11.17 eggs/50 seeds) followed by spinosad (45 SC) @ 4 ppm/kg seeds (20.50 eggs/50 seeds). Among botanicals, lowest oviposition was recorded in mustard oil @ 5ml/ kg seeds (24.67 eggs/50 seeds) and all the treatments proved to be significantly effective in reducing the egg laying of Callosobruchus chinensis and superior over untreated control (98.67 eggs/50 seeds). Based on oviposition data, oviposition inhibition was computed which yielded maximum inhibition in seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seeds (88.67%) and minimum inhibition was recorded in seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seeds (39.91%). The data recorded on adult emergence and inhibition of adult emergence revealed that minimum adult emergence (12.93%) and maximum inhibition of adult emergence (84.54%) were recorded on seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05ml/kg seeds while maximum adult emergence and minimum inhibition of adult emergence were recorded on seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seeds (67.43 and 18.93%). Efficacy of oils, botanicals and insecticides against C. chinensis infesting pigeon pea indicated that 30 DAIR, seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded the least grain damage (by count) with maximum protection of 0.87 per cent while maximum damage was recorded in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (8.70%). Cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed proved to be the most efficient treatment in reducing grain damage till 120 DAIR with 1.19, 2.14 and 3.10% while maximum damage was recorded in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (17.71, 27.35 and 28.45%) at 60, 90 and 120 days, respectively. Grain damage (by weight) nearly inferred same pattern with the previous grain damage (by count). Cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed proved to be the best treatment with significantly less per cent grain damage from 30 DAIR till 120 DAIR. At 30 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded 0.53 per cent damage which was on par with spinosad (45 SC) @4 ppm/kg seed (0.84%). Among botanically derived grain protectants mustard oil @ 5ml/kg was the most efficient one in reducing per cent grain damage with 1.28 per cent which was on par with turmeric leaf oil @ 5ml/kg (1.47%). Intermediate protection of grains was provided by seed treatment with garlic extract @ 5% (1.96%), neem oil @ 5ml/kg (2.48%), NSKE @ 5ml/kg (3.85%) and maximum grain damage with least protection was observed in seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (5.94%) followed by YBSE @ 5ml/kg (4.99%). Even after 120 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed was the most efficient treatment with 1.99 per cent and seed treatment with YBSP @ 5g/kg seed recorded maximum grain damage (12.57%). The per cent weight loss also increased consequently with increased in storage period and corresponded with per cent grain damage. At 30 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed provided maximum protection (0.54%) against C. chinensis. Among botanicals, mustard oil @ 5ml/kg (1.22%) also provided maximum protection and maximum weight loss was observed in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (5.86%). All the treatments were found to be superior over untreated control (10.43%). From 60 to 120 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded lowest with values (0.65, 1.38, 1.81%) while maximum was observed in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (14.20, 23.35%, 24.25%). All the treatments were superior over untreated control (10.43, 16.03%, 32.27 and 55.51 %) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAIR. YBSP @ 5g/kg seed was found to be on par with YBSE @ 5ml/kg seed and neem oil @ 5ml/kg seed with NSKE @ 5ml/kg seed at 120 days after insect release. The effect of oils, botanicals and insecticides on germination and seed vigour of pigeon pea seeds were tested at the end of storage period (120 DAIR) and germination percentage varied from 22.67 to 77.00 per cent with minimum in untreated control and maximum in cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed. No significant difference was observed between neem oil @ 5 g/kg seed (63.17) and garlic extract @ 5% (62.33%) which was followed by NSKE @ 5 ml/kg seed (59.09%). The lower per cent germination was recorded in YBSP @ 5 ml/kg seed (54.50%) which was on par with YBSE @ 5 ml/kg seed (54.84%) and all treatments were significantly superior over untreated control (22.67%). The data on seed vigour index revealed that maximum was recorded in seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed (1600.22) which was statistically on par with spinosad (45 SC) @ 4ppm/kg seed (1584.18) followed by mustard oil @ 5 ml/kg seed (1442.96) and lowest seed vigour index was observed in YBSE @ 5 ml/kg seed (1103.76) followed by YBSP @ 5 g/kg seed (1138.89) as against untreated control (381.96). For evaluation of the performance of various storage structures against C. chinensis, seven treatments including jute bag as check was taken which was replicated thrice under Completely Randomised Block Design. The data on per cent grain damage, weight loss, germination percentage and seed vigour index were recorded at two months interval i.e., 2 and 4 months after storage (MAS). At 2 MAS, seeds stored in Polythene lined jute bag (PLJB) provided maximum protection with lowest grain damage (7.64%) and least protection of grain with maximum damage was recorded in jute bag (19.84%) while at 4 MAS, PLJB provided maximum protection with least damage of grains of 9.98 per cent. The next best treatment was recorded in plastic jar (12.16%) followed by earthen pot (14.30%), HDPE bag (16.63%), PP bag (18.46%). Among all the different treatments, least protection of grains was recorded in seeds stored in jute bag (30.91%). Data recorded on per cent weight loss at 2 MAS revealed maximum protection was recorded in pigeon pea seeds were stored in PLJB (3.65%) and maximum weight loss was recorded in jute bag (11.61%) followed by cloth bag (10.20%) and at 4 MAS, lowest weight loss was recorded in pigeon pea grains stored in PLJB (5.05%) and maximum weight loss was recorded in cloth bag (15.29%) and all the storage structures performed better than jute bag (19.05%) taken as check. The data on germination and seed vigour index of pigeon pea seeds revealed that at 2 MAS, earthen pot performed best with maximum percent germination (91.33%) and was found to be on par with plastic jar (91.17%) and lowest was recorded in jute bag (77.33%) while at 4 MAS, germination percentage ranged from 65.17 to 90.33 per cent with minimum and maximum being recorded in jute bag and PLJB, respectively. At 2 MAS, maximum seed vigour index was recorded in pigeon pea seeds stored in earthen pot (1894.20), followed in decreasing order by PLJB (1877.06), plastic jar (1865.19), HDPE bag (1775.38), PP bag (1743.10), cloth bag (1659.46) and jute bag (1570.78) of which plastic jar, PLJB and earthen pot were on par and PP bag and HDPE bag were statistically similar while at 4 MAS, PLJB and plastic jar were on par and the most effective treatment in maintaining the seed vigour of pigeon pea seeds with values 1919.95 and 1850.77, respectively and all the storage structures were found to be significantly superior over check (1331.82) i.e., jute bag.ThesisItem Open Access Screening of Rapeseed-mustard Genotypes and Eco-friendly Management of Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.).(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) KARTHIK, SOMALA; Mukherjee, U.The current investigations were conducted on “Screening of Rapeseed-mustard genotypes and eco-friendly management against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)” during 2019-2020 & 2020-21. The surveys conducted during the year 2020 across India, revealed that Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae was present in all the 16 locations surveyed belonging to 13 states and one Union Territory at over altitude ranging from 40.42 m (Dariapur) to 980.80 m (Barapani). The selective RAPD primers viz., OPA-02, OPA-04, F2 and SSR primers viz., ApH04M, Ap-01 and ApH08M were considered as informative for genetic diversity analysis based on polymorphic band percentage (>70), higher PIC, EMR, MI and RP. DNA barcoding of 16 locations with universal primer (LCO1490- Forward and RHCO2- Reverse) employed were amplified at 657 bp of mtCOI gene in Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae. The phylogenetic tree showed the clustering of all 16 locations with L. e. pseudobrassicae reference sequence. Among 16 locations, Jorhat of North-Eastern India was found to be highly diverged with higher branch distance (0.13) in the phylogenetic tree and higher dissimilarity of 30.0 and 31.0 % in RAPD and SSR dendrograms respectively. The association of bacterial endosymbionts with L. e. pseudobrassicae showed that Buchnera sp, a primary endosymbiont was found in all the 16 locations. Whereas in secondary endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp, Rickettsia sp, and Hamiltonella sp dominated the most with 81.25 % and Cardinium sp liberated with 31.25 %. Among all 16 locations, Jodhpur and Ranchi had a 100 % incidence of endosymbionts and lower incidence was found in Ludhiana, Raipur, Dharwad, Alipur Bihta, Delhi, Jorhat (42.85 %). The inspections on population of alate mustard aphids and natural enemies i.e., adult coccinellids, syrphids and parasitoids in relation to weather parameters revealed their peak on 8th SMW (157.1, 6.48, 5.63, 14.62/ 4 traps) respectively and shown strong positive correlation with maximum temperature (0.445, 0.608*, 0.595*, 0.618*) and sunshine hrs (0.602*, 0.654*, 0.633*. 0.662*) respectively. Different Rapeseed-mustard genotypes were screened against mustard aphid resulting in identification of six promising genotypes among which, genotype RTM 314 had shown low AII (1.3), ADI (1.0) and ARI (1.15). The biochemical analysis also revealed the highest glucosinolates (109.87 µmole/g) and phenols (6.51 mg/g) content in RTM 314. Further, GC-MS analysis indicated the existence of biologically active compounds like 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro-1,3-Propanediol; 5-(Methylsulfinyl)pentanenitrile and 1-Isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane only in RTM 314 which could be the reason for resistance against mustard aphid. Among different intercrop combinations, mustard + wheat (3:1) followed by mustard + barley (3:1) have recorded lowest aphid population (41.46, 42.79/ top 10 cm inflorescence of 10 plants) respectively and highest population of coccinellids (8.29, 7.76/ 10 plants), syrphids (6.57, 6.35/ 10 plants), parasitoids (14.01, 13.34/ 10 plants) and spiders (4.39, 4.21/ 10 plants) with superior yield (1213, 1201 kg/ha) respectively. The efficacy of various botanicals was also evaluated against mustard aphid and its natural enemies. Among the botanicals tested on mustard aphid, the % reduction of mustard aphid population over untreated control following the first and the second spray was the highest in Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) @ 5% (70.69, 87.97 %) followed by Yam Bean Seed Extract (YBSE) @ 5% (66.58, 86.06 %) and Bhang Leaf Extract (BLE) @ 5% (64.25, 84.56 %) respectively besides with higher population of natural enemies. However, based on B: C ratio, BLE @ 5% with 6.86:1 was found to be better followed by NSKE @ 5% (3.61:1) and YBSE @ 5% (3.31:1).ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON BIONOMICS OF BRINJAL SHOOT AND FRUIT BORER (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée), ITS MANAGEMENT THROUGH NEWER INSECTICIDES AND THEIR RESIDUES IN/ON BRINJAL (Solanum melongena L.) FRUITS(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) N, PONNUSAMY; Singh, S. P. N.The total 11 species of pests belongs to the 11 genera, 9 families and 3 orders were recorded associated with the brinjal ecosystem. And also noticed several natural enemies belongs to 9 species, 8 genera, 6 families and 5 orders. Whereas, the incidence of L. orbonalis were also observed in Solanum tuberosum, S. nigrum, S. indicum, S. torvum and S. lycopersicon which belongs to family Solanaceae. And also studied life cycle of L. orbonalis under laboratory conditions during 2019-20 and 2020-21 in Rabi and Zaid/ summer seasons. The incubation period was recorded around 3.93 and 4.25 days in Rabi, but 3.66 and 3.86 days in Zaid/ summer in both the years. The total larval period was around 15.86 and 16.32 days in Rabi and whereas, 11.37 and 11.83 days in Zaid/ summer. Though, the pupal period was recorded around 5.76 and 5.97 days in Rabi and 5.08 and 5.28 days in Zaid/ summer. The longevity of the male moth was recorded 4.05 and 3.73 days in Rabi, but 3.21 and 3.41 days in Zaid/ summer and female moth was recorded around 5.50 and 5.35 days in Rabi still 4.40 and 4.55 days in Zaid/ summer. The pre-oviposition was also observed around 1.51 and 1.74 days in Rabi and 1.07 and 1.30 days in Zaid/ summer. Oviposition period was 2.95 and 3.07 days in Rabi and 1.65 and 2 days in Zaid/ summer during both the years. The studies of population dynamics of brinjal shoot and fruit borer during Rabi and Zaid/ summer seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 revealed that, the peak shoot infestation was recorded around 9th and 11th week after transplantation during Rabi and Zaid/ summer, similarly the fruit infestation reached its peak at 21st and 21st on number basis, respectively whereas, on the basis of weight 9th and 16th week after transplantation. The maximum temperature was the only abiotic factors significantly (positive) correlated with shoot and fruit infestation of L. orbonalis in both the seasons. While, other weather parameters like minimum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity, rainfall, evaporation and sunshine were either significantly or non-significantly (positive or negative) correlated with shoot and fruit infestation. Bio-efficacy of new insecticides- chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC @ 40 g a.i.ha-1 was significantly superior to all the insecticidal treatments and also recorded maximum fruit yield (295 q ha-1). It was followed by emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 10 g a.i. ha-1 (259.25 q ha-1), spinosad 45% SC @ 84 g a.i. ha-1 (256 q ha-1), lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC @ 15 g a.i. ha-1 (219.25 q ha-1), thiacloprid 21.7% SC @ 180 g a.i. ha-1(209.5 q ha-1), dimethoate 30% EC @ 200 g a.i. ha-1 (171.5 q ha-1), pyriproxyfen 5% EC + fenpropathrin 15% EC @ 150 g a.i. ha-1 (159.75 q ha-1), betacyfluthrin 8.49% + imidacloprid 19.81% OD @ 60 g a.i. ha-1 (138.5 q ha-1) and were at statistically at par with each other. The maximum B: C ratio (1: 2.86) was obtained in chlorantraniliprole compared to other treatments like emamectin benzoate (1: 2.63), spinosad (1: 2.38), lambda-cyhalothrin (1: 2.24), thiacloprid (1: 1.90), dimethoate (1:1.73), pyriproxyfen + fenpropathrin (1: 1.57) and betacyfluthrin + imidacloprid (1: 1.44). Quantitative estimation of the residues of chlorantraniliprole in/on brinjal was done by HPLC. The samples of brinjal were processed using QuEChERS technique. The mean recovery of chlorantraniliprole was found 80.92 to 82.07 per cent, respectively. The mean recoveries of matrix matched standards were about 92.77 to 95.20 per cent. The matrix effect (%) were -13.60, +11.9, +1.22, -9.28 and +17.05 for different concentrations viz., 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.05 μg ml-1. The LOQ was observed to be 0.05 mg kg-1. The mean initial deposit of chlorantraniliprole @ 40 g a.i. ha-1 was obtained to be 0.43 mg kg-1 and 0.92 mg kg-1 @ 80 g a.i. ha-1. The residues of chlorantraniliprole was found to be dissipated to a mean level of 0.26 mg kg-1 and 0.54 mg kg-1 one day after spraying which shown a dissipation 39.53 and 41.30 per cent residues at single as well as double doses. The mean level of residue was found to be 0.15 mg kg-1, 0.27 mg kg-1. It showed per cent dissipation about 65.12 and 70.65 per cent residues in 3 days after spray. The mean level of residue was found to be 0.10 mg kg-1 and shown a dissipation about 89.13 per cent in 5 days after spray at double dose. The residues were found below the limit of quantification (LOQ) in 5 and 7 days after spray at single and double doses. The T1/2 of chlorantraniliprole were calculated to be 0.974 and 1.610 days when applied at single and double doses after 3rd spray on brinjal. The mean initial deposits of chloantraniliprole was observed to be below the MRL in one day after spray at both the doses on brinjal. The mean initial deposit of washing effect was obtained to be 0.43 mg kg-1 of chlorantraniliprole which was reduced to 0.36 mg kg-1 for single dose in zero day after spray. Whereas, the mean initial deposit was found to be 0.26 mg kg-1 which was reduced to 0.23 mg kg-1 for single dose in one day after spray. For double dose, the initial deposit was found to be 0.92 mg kg-1 which was reduced to 0.69 mg kg-1 in zero day after spray. Though, the initial deposit was gained to be 0.54 mg kg-1, it reduced to 0.42 mg kg-1 for double dose in one day after spray.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on management of aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) on mustard(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Mishra, Matangi; Mukherjee, UIn order to develop strategies for management of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.), an investigation entitled Studies on Management of Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) on Mustard was carried out at the Research farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar (India). A series of experiments were conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Results pertaining to different aspects of present study viz., population dynamics of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) under different environmental factors, exploring the possibility of management of aphid on mustard through manipulations in dates of sowing, screening of mustard genotypes for resistance against mustard aphid, relative field efficacy of some synthetic insecticides against mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) are mentioned below: The incidence of aphid started from fourth standard week for both the years. Maximum number of mustard aphids attack on top 10 cm inflorescence of mustard was observed during the tenth standard week in both the years (222.4 in 2017-18 and 198.8 in 2018-19). However, the insect vanished in the thirteenth standard week for both the years. During first year (2017-18), maximum as well as minimum temperature, RH were correlated positively with mustard aphid but in 2018-19, maximum temperature, rainfall and no. of rainy days showed a negative impact on the insect outbreak; minimum temperature, RH (0700 hr and 1400 hr) were correlated positively. The R2 for mustard aphid in 2017-18 and 2018-19 were reported to be 78.4 % and 52.4 % respectively. Two natural enemies namely- Coccinella septempunctata and Syrphid fly were witnessed during both the experimental years. The predator incidence was from sixth standard week and their peak was observed in the tenth standard week (Coccinella septempunctata, 5.40 and Syrphid fly, 4.20) during the first year. However, in 2018-19, the population of natural enemies were at their peak in ninth standard week (Coccinella septempunctata 3.6 and Syrphid fly 2.4). Meanwhile, they disappeared in thirteenth standard week for both the years. In 2017-18, RH (1400 hr) was negatively correlated while RH (0700 hr), temperature (maximum and minimum) was correlated positively. In 2018-19, maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, number of rainy days had a negative correlation but RH (0700 hr and 1400 hr) was found positively ii correlated. The R2 for Syrphid fly and Coccinella septempunctata in 2017-18 was 81.5 and 74.9 respectively while for 2018-19 the R2 was 76.6 % for Syrphid fly and 74.1 % for Coccinella septempunctata. By manipulating the dates of sowing, it was observed that the crops sown on last date possessed maximum mean number of aphid infestation for both the years (23.15 in 2017-18 and 44.64 in 2018-19). The yield was reported maximum on the crops sown on first date i.e. October 10th 1277.50 kg/ha in 2017-18 and 1245.00 kg/ha in 2018-19 along with the test weight of 250 seeds. It was observed that the crops sown earlier were reported with minimum mean number of aphids for both the years. While screening forty advanced genotype, not a single genotype/variety was found highly resistant in two years of experimentation. The mean number of aphids per 10 cm inflorescence ranged from 91.5 to 311.1 during 2017-18 while in second experimental year i.e. 2018-19, the mean number ranged in between 93.5 to 327.0. DRMR-1165-40 was reported to have minimum infestation both the years (i.e., 2017- 18 and 2018-19). Maximum genotypes in both years of investigation were found to be susceptible, followed by moderate and highly susceptible categories. The bio efficacy of newer pesticides against mustard aphid was tested during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The trend of mustard aphid population (mean number) obtained was: T1 (78.00 to 70.00), in T2 (84.00 to 77.40), T3 had a reduction from 86.80 to 79.80, T4 (89.00 to 82.2), in T5 92.00 to 84.80, T6 and T7 were reduced from 91.30 to 85.50 and 95.00 to 87.20 respectively. Meanwhile, in T8 the number of insects observed were maximum (134.00 to 137.96) during 2017-18. Meanwhile, during 2018-19, the mean number of aphid followed the trend as: Thiamethoxam (86.00 to 77.25) followed by Indoxacarb (88.00 to 81.78) followed by Novaluron (90.00 to 84.42).Spinosad (93.00 to 86.40) remained in the middle followed by Dimethoate (92.00 to 86.97), YSBE (95.00 to 90.13) and Neem Oil (95.00 to 90.87). In the untreated control, the mean number of aphid population range was as: 123.00 to 127.19. The yield in T1 (1230 kg/ha) during 2017-18 and (1171 kg/ha) in 2018-19 was found to be maximum along with the test weight (250 seed in gram) 1.080g in 2017-18 and 1.040 g in 2018-19. All the treatments showed reduction in mean number of mustard aphids except for the untreated control i.e. treatment, T8.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on resistance factors of maize plant against maize spotted stem borer, Chilo Partellus (Swinhoe)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Yadav, Manish Kumar; Rai, Arbind KumarAn experiment has been conducted during the year 2018 and 2019, in the cropping season of Kharif with twenty-five maize genotypes viz., Shaktiman-1, Shaktiman-2, Shaktiman-3, Shaktiman-4, Shaktiman-5, Devaki, Laxmi, Suwan, RHM-1, RHM-2, RHM-3, Deep Jwala, P-3535, P-3533, P-3550, P-3555, Dekalb-9188, Dekalb-9170, New Cross 76×11, New Cross 72×70, New Cross 73×11, New Cross 73×74, New Cross 52×65, New Cross 53×52 and New Cross 50×58 to assess their physical, biochemicals and molecular characteristic and find correlation between infestation levels and different traits under these observations. The physical characters included stem height, stem thickness, number of nodes, inter-node length, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, number of trichomes, trichome lengths and leaf angle between stem and leaf. Biochemical analyses included analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein and chlorophyll including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll while molecular analysis deled with real time analysis of closeness of different genotypes among each other in the term of morphological and biochemical traits. The crop sown in the Kharif in RBD design with 4 replications and for the infestation, artificial infestation has been done at the rate of 5 neonate larvae per plant on ten randomly selected plants in each replication. The data for physical characteristics was recorded at two different stages namely after 40 days of sowing and just before the tasseling stage, for biochemicals, the data was recorded of 40 days old plant while for SSR analysis, the genotypes were sown in pots separately. For the rating of infestation, leaf injury score method was adopted and infestation symptoms were rated in the scale of 1 to 9. The measurement of physical traits like stem height, leaf length and width, internode lengths were measured with the help of measuring scale while trichome density was counted with help of magnifying ocular. The data of stem thickness was recorded with help of slide caliper while the data of trichome length was recorded with help of binocular. The data of biochemicals like Nitrogen and protein have been recorded with kjel-dal and Winkelman’s formulae. Potassium was recorded with help of flame photometer while chlorophyll and phosphorus were recorded with the help of spectrophotometer. The molecular data was done with extraction of DNA and SSR analysis to obtain molecular level of diversity in the term of closeness of different genotypes. The infestation data was recorded after 20 days of artificial infestation and data leaf injury score was recorded. Total infestation per cent data was recorded on the bases of different larval injury and its immature stages presence and also other indices like excreta, pupal cases, exit holes, tunneling length were recorded after tasseling stage by splitting the stem of all maize genotypes. Recorded traits, i.e., morphological traits like height of plant, stem thickness, number of nodes, inter-node length, number of leaves, leaves length and width, trichome density and length of trichomes and biochemicals like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein and chlorophyll (chlorophylls a, b and total chlorophyll) influenced by several interdependent environmental fluctuations leading to an difference in tracking of these traits. But these characteristics were found to be closely associated in related genotypes. 39 There are several traits that have been identified as contributing in resistance against Chilo partellus in maize plants and a correlation between these traits and infestation have been developed to understand the quantitative relationship in different levels of pest infestation in different genotypes. In case of plant height, it was negatively significantly affecting. As per the results, it was recorded that genotypes having maximum height, were found to be less infested with the Chilo partellus. Stem diameter showed a positive but non-significant effect on infestation of maize spotted stem borer. It was observed that thicker stem supports more feeding of Chilo partellus but there is no such observation to establish a significant correlation between stem thickness and infestation. Number of nodes and inter-node length showed a negative and positive correlation respectively but non-significant association between infestation and number of nodes. Number of leaves, leaf length and leaf width are basically characterization of leaf and important in infestation due to they used as egg laying and initial feeding substrate and ultimately providing support to move towards to whorl and for further feeding. These characteristics were found to be non-significant positively correlated with infestation. It was observed that broad leaf genotypes were more susceptible in compare to narrow leaf genotypes. In case of maize, non-glandular type of trichomes are found and distributed on both leaf surfaces and stem while on lower surface very less numbers of trichomes are found in a few genotypes. They can inhibit infestation in many ways including the inhibition of egg laying and movement of neonate towards the leaf whorl. There are significant negative association between trichome density and infestation, while in case of trichome length, a positive significant association has been found. Leaf angle was measured between the stem and leaf and it was observed that plants with minimum leaf angles, found to be having greater infestation. A negative and significant correlation has been observed between leaf angle and infestation of Chilo partellus. Nitrogen and protein were recorded to be positively correlated with the infestation of maize spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus up to a significant level as it was observed that genotypes having maximum amount of nitrogen and protein showed more infestation. Nitrogen is a basic and major nutrient, required for vegetative growth and it make plants more valuable for insects more development. Many earlier workers have reported same association between nitrogen, protein and infestation. Phosphorus found in minor amount and showed a positive correlation with infestation but not up to the significant level. Potassium is very important in case of inducing resistance in plants. It was observed that genotypes having greater amount of potassium, showed less infestation of maize spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus. The association between infestation and potassium was recorded as negative and significant. Many earlier workers have reported same association between potassium and infestation. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll reported to be having positive correlation with infestation and chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were found positive significant while total chlorophyll content showed non-significant association with infestation.ThesisItem Open Access Population dynamics and management of insect pests of rice and their natural enemies in different rice cultivation systems in Bihar(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Ramesh, Kumbhar Chaitanya; Singh, S. PInvestigations were carried out to record the population dyanamics and Management of Insect Pests of Rice and their Natural Enemies in different Rice Cultivation Systems in rice CV Rajendra Bhagwati in Pusa, Bihar. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm, RPCAU, Pusa and in the Laboratory, Department of Entomology, RPCAU, Pusa during Kharif, 2016 and 2017. Results pertaining to different aspects of the study viz. to study the dynamics of pest species composition of rice stem borers, to ascertain the population dynamics and management of stem borers, leaf folder and Gundhi bug, to study the population dynamics of different natural enemies, to assess the efficacy of different insecticides against different insect pests and its effect on different natural enemies have been abstracted below: All the four species of stem borer of rice viz. yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Walker), white stem borer, Scirpophaga innotata (Walker) and dark headed striped borer, Chilo polychrysus (Meyrick) were prevalent during the crop season. However, yellow stem borer was found to be dominant over other species of stem borer and showed consistency with higher population in the entire four cultivation system viz. transplanting (92.70 to 93.50%), drum seeded (91.22 to 92.10%), direct seeded (94.00 to 95.17%) and SRI (89.10 to 90.00%) (System of Rice Intensification) during Kharif, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Highest population of leaf folder and gundhi bug were found in direct seeded followed by transplanting, drum seeded and SRI cultivation system with 8.73 & 17.39, 8.48 & 15.20, 6.51 & 14.63 and 6.12 & 13.61/ five sweeping net, respectively. (Plooed mean Kharif 2016 & 2017). Among all cultivation systems highest spider population were found in SRI with 13.40 followed by transplanting with 12.21 numbers of Spiders/ sq m. Lowest spider population was found in Direct seeded with 9.45 followed by Drum seeded with 10.82 numbers of Spiders/sq m. Almost similarly highest population of ladybird beetle, ground beetle and mirid bug were recorded in SRI with 16.01, 4.04 and 4.10 followed by Drum seeded with 14.26, 3.63 and 3.84; Transplanting with 13.34, 3.23 and 3.63 and direct seeded with 12.37, 3.12, 3.39 numbers of /sq m, respectively. Highest numbers of population of dragonfly and damselfly were recorded in SRI with 9.10 and 4.49 followed by Transplanting with 8.53 and 4.41 Drum seeded with 8.17 and 3.86 and 7.65 and 3.69 numbers/five sweeping nets, respectively. Seasonal incidence of Yellow stem borer (1.00 to 16.28 %, 1.71 to 17.02 %, 2.11 to 17.86 % and 2.71 to 14.85 %), Pink stem borer (1.33 to 5.91%, 1.05 to 6.52%, 1.54 to 6.70% and 0.80 to 5.43%), White stem borer (1.11 to 5.31%, 1.00 to 5.46%, 1.45 to 6.39% and 1.44 to 5.44 %) and Dard headed stem borer (0.53 to 5.42%, 0.29 to 5.74 %, 1.05 to 5.96% and 0.69 to 5.12%) were observed in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively, during 4th week of July (30th SMW) to 1st week October (40th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Seasonal incidences of Rice stem borers (YSB, PSB, WSB, and DHSB) in different rice cultivation system was found in the ranges of 0.56 to 20.60 percent, 1.10 to 16.66 percent and 1.35 to 21.76 percent in transplanting, drum seeded, and direct seeded cultivation system, respectively, during 4th week of September (39th SMW) to 2nd week November (46th SMW). However, in SRI cultivation system white earhead symptom was found in the range of 0.07 to 16.78 per cent during 3rd week of September (38th SMW) to 1st week November (45th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Rice leaf folder incidence in different rice cultivation system was found in the ranges of 1.86 to 18.65 percent, 1.10 to 18.07 percent, 1.14 to 20.95 percent and 0.18 to 16.56 percent in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively during 4th week of July (30th SMW) to 4th week October (44th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum, and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent and 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Seasonal incidence of rice gundhi bug in different rice cultivation were found in the ranges of 0.14 to 3.56; 0.07 to 4.05;0.15 to 4.97 and 0.30 to 3.18 in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively, during 1st week of August (31st SMW) to 4th week October (43th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters: maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum, and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to per cent mean Deadheart (DH) and White earhead (WEH). Among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (4.20%, 1.37%, 1.33% and 1.62% DH) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (4.94%, 1.69%, 1.51% and DH) were found most effective in reducing percent deadheart caused by Yellow stem borer, Pink stem borer, White stem borer and Dark headed stem borer, respectively over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (6.73%, 1.95%, 1.68%, and 2.18% DH). However, among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (8.58% WEH) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (9.33%WEH) were found most effective in reducing percent white earhead over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (12.86% WEH). All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to per cent mean damaged leaf (DL) infestation caused by rice leaf folder. Among the all treatments, Acephate 75SP (6.80% DL) followed by Imidacloprid 17.8SL (7.59% DL), Thiamethoxam 25WG (8.32% DL) were found most effective in reducing percent damaged leaf over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (11.18% DL). All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to number of gundi bug. Among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.64/hill) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (0.87/hill) were found most effective in reducing Gundhi bug population over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (1.08/hill). Mean yield production was varied widely from 39.22 to 49.35q/ha with maximum and minimum being in treatment of insecticide component and untreated control, respectively. Highest yield with 49.35 q/ha and 47.78 q/ha were recorded from Imidacloprid 17.8SL and Thiamethoxam 25WG treated plots. Among all treatments Buprofezin 25SC Dinotefuron 20SG Monocrotophos 36SL Thiamethoxam 25WG Imidacloprid 17.8SL and Acephate 75SP were recorded maximum survived spider, ladybird beetle, dragonfly, damselfly, ground beetle and mirid bug population over standard check Monocrotophos 36SL.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on insect pest complex of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and their management(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kumar, Ram; Singh, P. P.In order to study the population dynamics and management of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fabricius, whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, jassid, Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla Ishida, and red spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval, a series of field experiments were conducted during two consecutive years i.e. Kharif, 2018 and 2019 at the Research Farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarapur (Bihar). Results related to different aspects of the present study viz. population dynamics, screening of different okra varieties, intercropping effect of different crops and foliar application of insecticides applied against pests of okra have been abstracted below: The shoot damage was first noticed during 29th standard week (3.84 %) whereas, its peak activity was observed during 31st standard week (10.09 %) when the prevailing abiotic factors viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs and rainfall were 34.00 ºC, 26.25 ºC, 97.75 per cent, 83.25 per cent and 5.57 mm, respectively and remained active up to the 34th standard week (2.85 %). After fruit appearance, the larva moved to the fruit and caused damage. Initiation of fruit damage was noticed during 31st standard week (4.91 %) and continued till 41st standard week (6.44 %) i.e. end of the crop seasons with the highest fruit damage (29.30 %) during 34th standard week when the prevailing weather parameters viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs and rainfall were 35.75 ºC, 27.35 ºC, 97.60 per cent, 69.20 per cent and nil, respectively. However, the larva appearance on okra fruit was first noticed during 31st standard week (1.13 larva/ 25 fruit) with its peak during 34th standard week (7.13 larva/ 25 fruit). Its activity was traced up to last harvest of the fruit (1.11 larva/ 25 fruit). The activity of whitefly, jassid and mite on okra plant commenced during 27th standard week, while their peak activity and appearance period on crop varied remarkably. The peak activity of whitefly was recorded during 31st standard week (7.59 whitefly/ 3 leaves) when the mean corresponding weather parameters viz; maximum, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 07 and 14 hrs and rainfall prevailed around 34.0 oC, 26.3 oC, 97.8 per cent, 83.3 per cent and 5.6mm, respectively, but it persisted up to 35th standard week (6.60 – 2.69 whitefly/3 leaves). Contrary to this, the peak activity of jassid (14.38 jassid/ 3 leaves) and mite (13.97 mite/2 cm2) was observed during 34th and 36th standard week, respectively. The incidence of jassid and mite were observed throughout the crop season while, its population was relatively more in reproductive stage of the crop. The appearance of natural enemies (coccinellid and spider) emerged with pests incidence i.e. 27th standard week (0.38 coccinelids and 0.44 spiders/ 5 plant, respectively) and persisted till the end of crop season. However, their highest population was noted during 35th standard week (4.56 coccinelids and 3.94 spiders/ 5 plant, respectively). A relationship between pests population and weather parameters were established to assess the impact of abiotic factors on pests population. The maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs inferred positive but non-significant effect on shoot damage, fruit damage and larval population. However, relative humidity at 14 hrs exerted negative and significant effect on per cent fruit damage and larval population. Further, the effect of rainfall on per cent shoot damage, per cent fruit damage and larval population was found negative and non-significant. All the prevailing weather parameters viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs, and 14 hrs and rainfall collectively shared 61.60, 48.56 and 50.82 per cent contribution towards shoot damage, fruit damage and larval population fluctuation, respectively. In case of whitefly, the maximum temperature and minimum temperature were reported to respond positively with significant effect while relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs were found to effect positively but had non-significant correlation with whitefly population. Further, rainfall exerted negative and non-significant effect on whitefly population. The effect of minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs were found to respond positively but had non-significant effect on jassid and mite population while, the influence of maximum temperature on jassid was positive and highly significant but it was positive and non-significant on mite population. The effect of relative humidity at 14 hrs and rainfall inferred negative and non-significant impact on jassid and mite population. The cumulative effect of all the weather parameters collectively contributed 64.67, 53.78 and 16.25 per cent towards whitefly, jassid and mite population, respectively as indicated by R2 value (R2 = 0.6467, 0.5378 and 0.1625, respectively). Maximum temperature had positive and highly significant effect on coccinellid and spider population. But, the effect of minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs were found positive but non-significant on coccinellid and spider population. Further, the relative humidity at 14 hrs and rainfall had negative and non-significant relationship with coccinelid and spider population. The effect of all the weather parameters together governed 49.90 and 48.23 per cent to the coccinelids and spider population build up, respectively. Among the fifteen okra varieties evaluated for their susceptibility to okra shoot and fruit borer, it may be inferred that Kashi Satdhari (2.60%) was the most superior variety as it recorded lowest per cent shoot damage followed by D-1-87-5 (3.62%) and Pusa A-4 (4.24%). On the contrary, Pusa Sawani (16.23%) recorded highest level of shoot infestation followed by SB-2 (13.74%) as against Kashi Pragati (check) 10.08 per cent. Further, okra variety Kashi Satdhari (7.87%) recorded lowest fruit infestation and was considered as least susceptible variety which was at par with NO-136 (8.77%), D-1-87-5 (9.12%) and Kashi Leela (9.38%). Amongst all the okra varieties evaluated for their susceptibility to fruit infestation, Pusa Sawani and VRO-03 recorded relatively higher fruit infestation i.e. 35.17 and 33.41 per cent, respectively and registered as the most inferior varieties against (26.12%) Kashi Pragati (check). Out of fifteen okra varieties, the maximum whitefly population was recorded in Pusa Sawani (4.50 whitefly/ 3 leaves) which was statistically at par with VRO-03 (4.18 whitefly/ 3 leaves) as against check Kashi Pragati (3.69 whitefly/ 3 leaves). However, the lowest whitefly population was recorded in Kashi Satdhari (1.50 whitefly/ 3 leaves) which was at par with Kashi Leela (1.58), Kashi Lalima (1.63) and SB-8 (1.64) per three leaves. Amongst fifteen varieties screened, NO-136 registered minimum infestation (2.99 jassid/ 3 leaves) thus inferred as the best variety while Pusa Sawani recorded maximum jassid population (11.56 jassid/ 3 leaves) as against 9.20 jassid per three leaves in Kashi Pragati (check). Against mite infestation in okra variety, Masina-1 was found the most susceptible variety as it harboured the highest infestation (11.78 mite/ 2 cm2) which was at par with D-1-87-5 (10.42) and Ankur-41 (9.93) as against Kashi Pragati (check) 9.82 mite per two square centimetre. Whereas, the lowest mite population was observed on Kashi Satdhari (3.78 mite/ 2 cm2) followed by Kashi Lalima (2.58) and Pusa-A-4 (5.94 mite/ 2 cm2) regarded as the least susceptible host among all the tested varieties. The maximum number of primary branches (2.55/ plant), fruit angle (51.30º), number of lateral veins (70.88/ leaf) and leaf moisture (86.21%) were found in Ankur-41. On the contrary, the minimum number of primary branches, fruit angle, number of lateral veins and leaf moisture were recorded in Azad Bhindi-1 (0.20/ plant), VRO-03 (13.39º), SB-8 (36.26/ leaf) and Kashi Sathari (80.55%), respectively. Among all the fifteen okra varieties, SB-2 bears the maximum fruit yield (131.42 g) and fruit width (1.95 cm) whereas, the same was found minimum in NO-136 (79.76 g) and Ankur-41 (1.27 cm). The lowest trichome density on leaf lamina (5.57/ cm), midrib (5.67/ cm) and side vein (9.17/ cm) were recorded in SB-2 whereas, on fruit (292.44/ cm2) the minimum trichome density was recorded in okra variety Pusa Sawani. Moreover, the okra variety NO-136 recorded maximum trichomes per unit area on leaf lamina (29.77/ cm), midrib (27.82/ cm) and side vein (23.22/ cm) but, the maximum trichomes per unit area on fruit was recorded in SB-2 (480.52/ cm). The trichome length varied significantly among the tested varieties with minimum in SB-2 (3.02 μm) at leaf lamina and Kashi Pragati at fruit (3.98 μm), respectively. While on midrib (3.83 μm) and side vein (4.19 μm), it was the shortest in Pusa Sawani. In addition, NO-136 obtained the longest trichome at leaf lamina (7.01 μm), midrib (7.61 μm), side vein (8.21 μm) and fruit (7.27 μm). The availability of secondary metabolites varied among different varieties. The phenol and flavonoid content per gram of leaf was found maximum in Kashi Satdhari (0.339 mg and 0.177 mg, respectively) while, it was the lowest in SB-2 (0.157 mg/g) and Pusa Sawani (0.035 mg/g). Apart from this, the maximum tannin was available in No-136 (0.950 mg/ g) whereas, it was minimum in Pusa Sawani (0.098 mg/g). Amongst fifteen varieties, the potassium content was minimum in Pusa-A-4 (0.398%) while, its highest concentration was observed in Kashi Lalima (0.880%). Moreover, the maximum and minimum phosphorus content was recorded in Kashi Satdhari (0.545%) and Masina-1 (0.204%). The correlation studies between phytomorphometric attributes and fruit infestation ascribed by okra shoot and fruit borer clearly indicated that the fruit angle, fruit yield and plant height had positive but non-significant association with fruit infestation, while the primary branches showed positive and significant effect. The fruit infestation was found negatively associated with fruit width, fruit length, seed per fruit, trichome density on fruit and leaf moisture content. Moreover, trichome length on fruit had highly significant effect on fruit infestation. The correlation of whitefly population with trichome density, trichome length, primary branches and fruit yield were negative and non significant. Further, it was found that plant height, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf had positive and non-significant correlation with whitefly population. The trichome effect on jassid population was also found negative and non significant except trichome density on fruit and trichome length on leaf lamina. Unlike, the plant height, primary branches per plant, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf showed positive and non significant on jassid population. The mite incidence had negative and non-significant correlation with trichome except trichome density on leaf lamina which showed significant and negative effect on mite incidence and trichome length on side vein. However, the plant height, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf showed positive and non significant effect on mite population. Additionally, the primary branches per plant showed positive and significant association with mite population. The correlation of all the biochemical and nutritional factors viz. phenol, flavonoid, tannin, potassium and phosphorus showed negative impact on growth and development of shoot and fruit borer, whitefly, jassid and mite and thus reduce the population. Among the different crop combinations the lowest shoot damage (5.00%) was recorded in okra + cowpea (1:1) intercropping followed by okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) while the highest shoot damage (6.65%) was registered in okra + maize (2:1) intercropping system as against okra mono-croppping (7.69%). Similarly, the minimum fruit damage (12.25%) was recorded in okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination which was statistically similar with okra + cowpea (2:1), okra + sorghum (1:1) and okra + sorghum (2:1) while the maximum fruit damage (16.41%) was registered in okra + maize (2:1) intercropping as against okra as a sole crop (18.42%). The influence of intercrops in reducing whitefly population was found maximum (3.08 whitefly/ 3 leaves) in okra + cowpea (1:1) intercropping system thus, referred as the most suitable crop combination among all and found statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra mono-cropping (4.95 whitefly/ 3 leaves). However, among all the crop combinations the maximum whitefly infestation (4.95 whitefly/ 3 leaves) was registered in okra + maize (2:1). Similarly, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combinations also recorded minimum jassid infestation (6.10 jassid/ 3 leaves) and considered as the most efficient crop combination which was statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra monocropping (9.86 jassid/ 3 leaves). Moreover, the crop combination which was least effective in managing jassid infestation was okra + maize (2:1). With reference to mite infestation, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination proved as the most promising (6.92 mite/ 2 cm2) and was statistically aligned with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra monocropping (9.87 mite/ 2 cm2). Moreover, okra + maize (2:1) crop combination was found least effective (8.76 mite/ 2 cm2) in managing mite infestation. From the natural enemies conservation point of view too, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination was proved to be the most efficient and recorded the highest coccinellid (6.02 coccinellids/ plant) and spider (4.88 spiders/ plant) population which behaved statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) as against okra monocropping (4.02 coccinellids/ plant and 3.37 spiders/ plant). Furthermore, okra + maize (2:1) crop combination proved less beneficial for narural enemies conservation. Intercropping of cowpea with okra (2:1) found most superior crop combination as it recorded the maximum yield (89.0 q/ha) over sole crop (109.35 q/ha), while the minimum yield (64.5 q/ha) was obtained in maize intercropped with okra (1:1). It was critical to mention that the okra + cowpea (1:1) recorded the maximum LER (1.31) followed by okra + cowpea 1.20 at 2:1 and okra + sorghum 1.19 at 1:1 crop ratio thus rated as more efficient intercropping system over sole okra crop. On the contrary, okra intercropped with maize (2:1) was found less efficient (0.99) than the okra sole. The maximum okra equivalent yield (111.4 q/ha) was recorded in okra + cowpea intercropping (1:1) while it was minimum (100.9 q/ha) in okra + maize (2:1). Out of nine insecticides applied, three round application of profenofos 50 EC @ 500g a.i./ha at fortnightly interval was found to afford maximum protection to the okra crop against shoot and fruit borer infestation (2.55% shoot damage and 5.69% fruit damage) followed by spinosad 45 SC @ 50g a.i./ha and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25g a.i./ha as against untreated control (8.42% shoot damage and 18.62% fruit damage). However, among botanicals used, YBSE 5% was found better in reducing the shoot and fruit borer infestation. Further, after three spraying at fifteen days interval population of whitefly (0.50/ 3 leaves) and jassid (0.63/ 3 leaves) were found minimum in thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25g a.i./ha treated plot which was statistically at par with acetamiprid 20 SP and profenofos 50 EC as against untreated control (5.74 whitefly/ 3 leaves and 14.12 jassid/ 3 leaves). Among the botanicals, the most promising plant product was YBSE 5% followed by NSKE 5% and Neem oil 3%. Three foliar spray of profenofos 50 EC @ 500g a.i./ha (4.74 mite/ 2 cm2) at fortnightly interval recorded better results in controlling mite incidence but their effect was not much pronounced as against untreated control (11.48 mite/ 2 cm2). However, the efficacy of neem oil 3% against mite infestation was the lowest (9.60 mite/ 2 cm2) among evaluated insecticides. The botanicals used were not much effective in controlling mite population. Three round applications of profenofos 50 EC (@ 500 g a.i./ha) recorded highest fruit yield (152.9 q/ha), while the neem oil 3% yielded the lowest (131.1 q/ha) as against untreated control (112.1 q/ha). Among the plant products, YBSE 5% yielded higher okra fruit (136.2 q/ha) as compared to other botanicals but its effect was less pronounced than chemical insecticides. The benefit-cost ratio of different treatments used as foliar application differed remarkably. It was highest (12.78:1) in case of profenofos 50 EC which was closely followed by acetamiprid 20 SP (11.57:1) and thiamethoxam 25 WG (10.11:1).
