Study of invertebrate diversity in sprayed and unsprayed vegetable fields of okra crop
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Date
2021
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present investigation was carried out from July 2019 to October 2019 at Vegetable Farm
and Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to generate
information on diversity of invertebrates in okra crop. It was revealed that okra crop has been
harboured by 39 invertebrate species belonging to 16 orders and 31 families, maximum
number of species belonged to order Hemiptera followed by Coleoptera. Both earwig and
millipede were positively correlated with mean temperature (r=+0.24 to +0.37) and mean
relative humidity (r=+0.69 to +0.80). All the predators had significant positive correlation
with temperature (r=+0.88 to +0.99) except robber fly. Whereas, all predator species were
positively correlated with relative humidity (r=+0.06 to +0.74). All the phytophagous
arthropods and non arthropods had a positive correction with relative humidity (r=+0.19 to
+0.80). except dusky cotton bug, mealy bug, ash weevil and rice stem borer which were
negatively correlated (r=-0.03 to -0.96). However, all the phytophagous arthropods and non
arthropods were positively correlated (r=+0.37 to +0.67) with mean temperature except rice
stem borer, white spotted leaf beetle, jassid, red cotton bug, dusky cotton bug, mealy bug, red
pumpkin beetle and ash weevil which were negatively correlated (r=-0.03 to -0.82). Higher
value of Shannon-Wiener index (1.75, 1.84 and 1.13) and Simpson‟s index (0.26, 0.17 and
0.35) were recorded for control plot for phytophagous arthropods, predators and soil
invertebrates, respectively followed by neem baan 50,000 ppm @ 0.8 ml/l of water [Shannon
wiener index (1.71, 1.79 and 0.96) and Simpson‟s index (0.27, 0.19 and 0.43) for
phytophagous arthropods, predators and soil invertebrates, respectively]. This indicated that
control and neem baan treated plots were more diverse and supported higher population of
natural enemies as compared to insecticide treated ones. Although, the use of chemical
pesticides cannot be omitted completely as they form the mainstay of management strategies,
yet their use can be limited by including biopesticides like neem baan 50,000 ppm @ 0.8 ml/l
of water for the control of harmful arthropods which could provide cheaper alternative for
management of phytophagous arthropods without effecting predators. This study can help us
to plan the management strategies in advance so that control measures can be taken on time to
reduce the phytophagous arthropods to minimize the crop damage.
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Citation
Ramanpreet Kaur (2021). Study of invertebrate diversity in sprayed and unsprayed vegetable fields of okra crop (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.