Population dynamics and management of major sucking insect pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Linn.)
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Date
2023
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RPCAU, Pusa
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Population dynamics and management of major sucking insect pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Linn.)” was conducted during 2023 cropping season at Vegetable Research Farm, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar.
The study focused on survey of major insect pests of cowpea in Samastipur, Bihar to investigate the incidence of insect pests affecting cowpea. Field observations were carried out at three blocks in Samastipur district during the entire growth period of crop. The major findings acknowledged were sucking pests like aphids (19.89/10 cm twig) observed maximum in Kalyanpur block whereas whiteflies (4.83/ 3 leaves/ plant) and leafhoppers (2.82/3 leaves/plant) in Samastipur block and thrips (8.44/ 5flower buds/plant) in Pusa block. The population of pod sucking bug (5.58/plant) was highest in Samastipur block and maximum pod damage (21.26 damaged pods/100 pods) was recorded in Pusa block.
The findings on population dynamics of major sucking insect pests of cowpea revealed that aphid, leafhopper and whitefly population were commenced first on 4th week of March (12th SMW) and reached its peak of 22.80 aphids/ 10 cm twig, 8.17 leafhoppers/3 leaves /plant and 11.20 whiteflies/ three leaves/plant on 3rd week of April (16th SMW). Population of thrips was commenced on 5th week of March (14th SMW) and maximum population was noted during 3rd week of April (16th SMW). The population of aphid, leafhopper, whitefly and thrips showed positive and significant correlation with maximum temperature and negative significance with relative humidity.
The bioefficacy of various newer insecticides were also evaluated against sucking insect pests of cowpea. Among them, Thiamethoxam 25% WDG proved most effective causing maximum population reduction of major sucking insect pests viz., aphids, leafhopper, whitefly, and thrips followed by Imidacloprid 17.8% SL. Diafenthiuron 50% EC, Acetamiprid 20% SP, Buprofezin 25% SC, Fipronil 5% SC stood in middle order of efficacy and Dimethoate 30% EC (Standard check) had least efficacy. The maximum yield 97.26 q/ha was obtained in the plots treated with Thiamathoxam 25% WDG followed by Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (92.13 q/ha). The minimum yield of 81.10 q/ha was obtained in the plots treated with Dimethoate 30% EC (standard check).