Population dynamics of major insect pest of blackgram [Vigna Mungo (L.) Hepper] in relation to weather parameters

The experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2014. Population dynamics of major insect pests of blackgram highly affected by weather parameters like; temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum), rainfall, and sunshine hours. The result revealed that the highest population of whiteflies 8.07 adult/cage/plant and jassids 1.43 nymph and adult/cage/plant was recorded during 37th standard week. The population of whitefly and jassid showed non significant negatively correlation with maximum and minimum temperature and sunshine hours while significant positively correlation with maximum humidity whereas non significant positively correlation showed with total rainfall and minimum humidity. The highest population of spotted pod borer 2.13 larvae/plant was record during 38th standard week and flower thrips 3.47 nymph and adult/10 flowers was record during 37th standard week and spotted pod borer population showed significant positively correlation with sunshine hours while flower thrips and spotted pod borer population showed non significant positively correlation with maximum and minimum relative humidity and non significant negatively correlation with maximum and minimum temperature whereas population of spotted pod borer showed non significant negatively correlation with total rainfall, while population of thrips showed non significant positively correlation with total rainfall while sunshine hours showed non significant negatively correlation.

• The study showed weather are one of the most factor which regulate the density of insect pests in blackgram ecosystem.

• The peek activity of insect pests was recorded during 38th standard week of crop growth.

• All insect pests of study showed negative correlation with maximum temperature while positive correlation with maximum relative humidity and total rainfall.