Journal of Biology and Nature

Population Dynamics of Major Insect Pests of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata l. Walp] Crop Ecosystem

K. Sasikumar

Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India.

K. Govindan *

Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India.

M. Deivamani

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu, India.

P. Senthilkumar

Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India.

M. Senthilkumar

Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yercaud, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

P. Mangammal

Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

The field experiment was conducted with cowpea (CO 7) to study the population dynamics of pest incidence in Pulse crop ecosystem during the year 2020-2021 at KVK, Virinjipuram. The result revealed that the peak activity of leaf hopper, whitefly and aphids were recorded in 43^rd SW ,42^nd SW and 45^th. The peak activity of podbug was also observed during 46^th. The spotted pod borer and pod borer was recorded and peak activity was recorded at 46^th, 47^th SW. The natural enemies was ranged from 0.20 to 1.20 Nos./plant. The population of whitefly in yellow sticky traps per week (2.20Nos./trap/week) and peak activity during 41^st SW. The spodoptera liture was also observed during 43^rd SW and it was ranged from 0.33 to 2.00 nos./trap/week).

Keywords: Pulses, cowpea (CO7), metrological parameters, major pests

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