Temperature Predicts the Population of Aceria cajani Chan. (Acari: Eriophyidae) and Efficacy of Insecticides and Acaricides in its Control on Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.]

The pigeonpea eriophyid mite, Aceria cajani Chan., vector of sterility mosaic disease in pigeonpea, causes economic damage of up to 90% during the early stages of crop growth. The major element in deploying management practice is to know the population dynamics of the pest. Generally, the vectors of disease causing agents were managed with the synthetic chemical. So we have taken studies to know efficacy of insecticides and acaricides in its control on pigeonpea.

The population dynamics of A. cajani Chan. was monitored in field plots from January 2021 to December 2021. For efficacy of insecticides and acaricides studies in control of A. cajani a completely randomized design was organized. Twelve treatments (insecticides/acaricides) were tested against A. cajani on pigeonpea [var. ICP 8863 (Shree Maruti].

This study found that mite population reached a peak in the summer (March) and another peak in the post-monsoon period (October), whereas the lowest populations were recorded in winter (January). Correlation studies exhibited a significant positive correlation with both maximum and minimum temperature. The insecticide and acaricide trials on A. cajani found that all chemicals used were effective and entomopathogenic formulations were comparatively less effective.