Climate change – Likely effects on the population dynamics of brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Luecinodes orbonalis Guen.)

A field experiment was conducted from 2002 to 2005 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle for assessing the association between weather variables and brinjal shoot and fruit borer. Since the climate change projections for India indicate a change in temperature and rainfall, an attempt has been made here to study the impact of the likely changes in temperature on the shoot and fruit borer in brinjal. The results revealed that the per cent fruit borer incidence on brinjal had a positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperatures and also sunshine. Maximum relative humidity and rainfall had a negative correlation with fruit borer infestation. The brinjal borer infestation is likely to be influenced by maximum temperature. The prevalence of low temperatures can be expected to lengthen the life cycle of the pest and at elevated temperatures the pest is likely to complete the life cycle comparatively at a shorter duration and increase their population and thereby the incidence. At elevated temperatures, due to climatic change, the borer incidence in brinjal may rise slightly during summer but likely to decrease to a marginal extent during monsoon season.