SHIVAYYA, VADARSH, K K2016-11-022016-11-022013-08-21TH-10601http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/83282The present investigation was conducted at Thagachuguppey village, Magadi Taluk of Ramanagara District of Karnataka state. Rodents were considered as a major vertebrate pest of groundnut. Rodent species observed in groundnut field during the study were B. bengalensis, T. indica, M. booduga, M. platythrix and B. indica in which the B. bengalensis (41.91%) and T. indica (32.8%) were dominant and the maximum population of rodents was recorded during harvesting season. The study indicated that burrow characteristics like length of the burrow, depth of the burrow, diameter of the openings and tunnels, number of burrow openings and number of side tunnels increases from germination to harvesting seasons irrespective of rodent species. Hoarding materials like groundnut pods, ragi grains and some weeds were quiet common in the burrows of B.bengalensis and T. indica. However, Mus spp. and B. indica as observed do not have hoarding habits. Litters were also observed in the burrows of all species except in B. indica. Among the treatments tested for management of rodents in groundnut found the best treatment was 2% Zn3P2 baiting at germination stage followed by Al2 (PO3)2 application in peg formation stage during Kharif season which give 82% reduction of rodents population and yield 1381kg/ha. Similarly in summer season best treatment was 2% Zn3P2 baiting at germination stage followed by Al2 (PO3)2 application in peg formation stage which give 76% of reduction in rodent population and highest yield of 1351.33 kg/ha. The C:B ratio was highest with Zn3P2 (2%) baiting at peg formation stage in both seasons, Kharif (1:38.12) and summer (1:36.56).en---Thesis