Management of PRSV-P in papaya through time of planting and border cropping

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of aphid population on incidence of Papaya ringspot virus type papaya (PRSV-P) by planting papaya during different months of the year (2010–12) at Experimental Farm of ICAR-IARI Regional Station, Pune. The population monitoring of aphid vectors of PRSV-P indicated peak population of aphids in January and low population from March onwards till September. Papaya (Red Lady) planted from February to April showed significantly less incidence of PRSV-P compared to those planted from September to January. Virus incidence recorded at flowering time was high (100%) in September to January plantation, while it was about 50–80% when planted in February to April. PRSV-P incidence on papaya planted in different months showed positive correlation with aphid population. PRSV-P tolerant papaya line, Pune Sel.-3, planted in March with maize as border crop showed reduced virus incidence of 5 to 31 per cent among different years.