Weather based prediction model for onion thrips thrips tabaci lindeman in maharashtra

The relationship between weather factors and incidence of thrips (nymphs and adults) was studied during 2012-17 at Rajgurunagar, Pune. The weekly incidence of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) showed a peak during 4^th standard meteorological week (SMW) with 64.5 thrips/plant. The incidence exhibited a significant correlation with maximum (MaxT) and minimum temperature (MinT), and morning relative humidity (MRH) for current, 1-lag and 2-lag week weather parameters. The pest load was observed to be with a significant correlation with MaxT, MinT, MRH and ERH (evening relative humidity) of 2-lag week. Stepwise regression using 2-lag week weather parameter MinT was the most important factor contributing by 82% variation in the incidence. Model was validated using 2017-18 data with R² value of 0.737. Developed model reveal that the minimum temperature is the most important weather parameter determining the seasonal dynamics of onion thrips in western Maharashtra.