STUDIES ON INSECT-PESTS OF WILD MELON, Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis (Naudin) Pangalo
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Date
2018-07
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
Abstract
The present investigation entitled, “Studies on insect-pests of wild melon,
Cucumis melo L. subsp. agrestis (Naudin) Pangalo” was carried out during the kharif
2016 at Main Horticultural and Research and Extension centre of University of
Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot (Karnataka).
The wild melon was found to be attacked by 24 species of insect pests and 11
species of natural enemies. Among the insect pests, nine species were defoliators,
thirteen sucking pests and two tissue feeders. The effect of weather parameters on pest
population was studied. The population of leaf miner, pumpkin beetle and thrips did
not show any significant association with any of the weather parameters but in the
case of fruit fly, the relative humidity was found to be negatively correlated.
The studies on screening of twenty-four wild melon genotypes against major
pests, indicated that leaf miner infestation was least on genotypes, HUB-2, HUB-3,
HUB-14 and HUB-13. Whereas, genotypes HUB- 2, HUB-3 and HUB-14 recorded
significantly lowest pumpkin beetle while, the lowest per cent fruit fly infestation was
found in genotypes, HUB-22, HUB-15, HUB-2 and HUB-16. Correlation studies on
biophysical and biochemical traits of fruit with fruit fly infestation showed that fruit
toughness, number of trichomes, total phenols and tannins had negative influence on
fruit fly damage.
Studies were also conducted to know the bio-efficacy of different insecticides
against major insect pests. Among all the treatments, T2 (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL @
0.25 ml/l-Emamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 0.2 g/l) was found to be the most effective
for reducing thrips and pumpkin beetles. While the lowest fruit fly infestation of 7.53
per cent was recorded in treatment T5 (Diafenthiuron 50% WP @ 1.25 g/l-
Azadirachtin 10000 ppm, @ 1 ml/l-cue-lure trap @ 20/ha) which recorded highest
yield (14.17 t/ha) and highest benefit cost ratio (3.65) being significantly superior
over other treatments.