1Regional Research Sub Station (OAZ), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mathurapur -732203, Malda, West Bengal, India
2Department of Agricultural Statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal-736165, India
3Department of Plant Protection, Visva Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
*Corresponding author: tapamay_ubkv@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 9 January, 2015.
Whitefly Singhiella pallida Singh is an important pest of betelvine, Piper betle L. infesting the crop throughout the year. The temperature played a crucial role in the population build up of the pest. The moderate temperature falling between 16°C to 20°C was found very much conducive for pest population development. However, relative humidity had a little role in population build up of the pest as compared to temperature. In contrary, rainfall was found detrimental to it. Prajneshu growth model was found to be most suitable non-linear growth model for prediction of the pest population build up. The 48th standard week was identified as the optimum time for intervention through insecticidal application as a prophylactic measures to check the peak pest population; supposed to be attained at the 52nd standard week as evidenced from pattern of population growth.
Temperature regime between 16°C to 20°C was found most important for population buildup of betelvine whitefly Singhiella pallida.
Prajneshu growth model (1998) can be used for predicting the betelvine whitefly population buildup and calculating the time for effective control of the pest.
The 48th Standard week was identified as optimum time for insecticidal application to check the pest population buildup.
Betelvine whitefly, temperature, non-linear growth model
