PATEL, J. R.Thanki, K. V.2018-05-162018-05-161999http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810046199To develop Integrated Management strategy for leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fab. (Noctuidae : Lepidoptera) on castor, Ricinus communis L. cultivated in middle Gujarat agroclimatic conditions, studies were carried out during 1997-98 and 1998-99 on varietal resistance, activity of S. litura and its larval parasites and effect of different varieties of castor on development and fecundity of S. litura. Study of 12 castor varieties/hybrids in comparison to GAUCH-1 for their resistance to S. litura under unprotected condition revealed the least preference of GCH-4 and GCH-5 for oviposition by S. litura female moths than rest of the varieties, whereas castor VI-9 and GAUCH-1 were more preferred for egg laying., by S. litura. Larval population on different castor varieties/hybrids also found in a same trend as observed for oviposition. The lowest leaf damage caused by S. litura larvae was observed in castor varieties GCH-4 and GCH-5, whereas the highest leaf damage was observed in varieties SKI-73, VI-9 and GAUCH-1. The leaf damage by S. litura was found higher in castor varieties VP-1, SH-72, 48-1, VP-1 and Geeta than CO-1, DCS-9 and JI-35. The positive correlationship was found between the larval population and leaf damage caused by S. litura in castor field. The larval development of S. litura was adversely affected on GCH-4 and GCH-5 in comparison to castor VI-9 and GAUCH-1. The higher mortality of first instar larvae was found within two days when fed on GCH-4 and GCH-5. The higher fecundity was observed on castor VI-9 than castor SH-72, SKI-73, 48-1 and GAUCH-1. The presence of higher quantity of total soluble sugars, total amino acids and lower quantity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in the leaves of castor varieties VI-9 and GAUCH-1 enhanced the feeding activity of S. litura larvae in comparison to GCH-4 and GCH-5. The egg and larval populations as well as castor leaf damage of S. litura larvae in IPM module M3 and modules M1 and M2 where synthetic insecticides were sprayed on need and scheduled basis respectively remained almost equal which indicated the effectiveness of all the three IPM components viz., spray of SINPV @ 250 LE/ha and NSKS 3 per cent and release of C. scelestes larvae @ 20000/ha. The higher effectiveness of IPM module (M3) against S. litura reflected on the yield and showed the highest ICBR at Anand and Nawagam locations. The activity of larval parasite Chelonus formosanus on S. litura was found during second to fifth week of October and from first week of September to second week of December during 1997-98 and 1998-99, respectively. The activity of Apunteles beneficus was found in the second week of October to first week of January and in the fifth week of October to first week of January during 1997-98 and 1998-99, respectively. Vapour pressure (morning and evening) and relative humidity showed negative influence on activity of A. benefeicus, whereas bright sunshine hours, maximum and minimum temperature, vapour pressure (morning and evening) and relative humidity (evening) had positive effect on activity of C. formosanus.enAGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY, AGRICULTUREMANAGEMENTThesis