Impact of crop phenology and environmental factors on rice leaf folder infestation in middle gangetic plains of India

The present study was an attempt to examine the impact of crop growth stages and environmental factors on rice leaf folder infestation in middle Gangetic plains. Crop phenology was the most significant biotic factor influencing pest population density. Rice leaf folder infestation was highest during the crop's booting stage, with 11.15and 13.16 percent leaf damage per hill in kharif 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. During kharif 2018-19, the rice leaf folder infestation began in 31^st SMW with 1.90 percent damaged leaves per hill and peaked at 38^th SMW with 11.60 percent damaged leaves per hill In kharif 2019-20, pest infestation began in 31^st SMW with 1.00 percent leaf damage per hill in the field and increased to a peak during the 39^th SMW with 14.66± percent leaf damage per hill. The abiotic factors such as rainfall, morning relative humidity, average relative humidity and maximum temperature had a significant positive influence on rice leaf folder infestation. These findings could be used to create precise management strategies to keep pest infestation in the rice ecosystem below the economic threshold level.