Seasonal incidence and management of wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.)

Experiments conducted on the seasonal incidence of Sitobion avenae F. during 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 at the University Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu revealed that it was @ 2.16 aphids/shoot in the 5^th standard week and reached maximum (10.04 aphids/shoot) in the 11^th standard week. The maximum and minimum temperatures had positive and significant effect (r = 0.719* and r = 0.565*), while relative humidity and rainfall had negative and significant correlation (r = - 0.425* and r = - 0.462*). Imidacloprid 200SL (0.008%) was the most effective in reducing population followed by thiamethoxam 25WG (0.0125%), dimethoate 30EC (0.03%), oxy-demeton methyl 125EC (0.03%), quinalphos 25EC (0.05%), clothianidin 50WDG (0.025%), acetamiprid 20SP (0.06%), flubendiamide 480SC (0.003%) and neem seed kernel extract (NSK) (5%). The maximum yield was recorded with imidacloprid (32.65 q ha⁻¹) followed by thiamethoxam (31.72q ha⁻¹) and dimethoate (30.59 q ha⁻¹). The highest cost:benefit ratio (1:24.78) was obtained with dimethoate and the lowest in flubendiamide.