Assessment of Yield Loss Caused by Sesame Pod Bug, Elasmolomus sordidus Fabricius Using Simulation Model

The yield loss caused by the adults and nymphs of Elasmolomus sordidus was studied under caged condition in the field on sesame TMV3. A branch with ten matured capsules in 15 plants selected at random, were caged using a tubular mylarfilm cage(45x6cm). Female bugs/nymphs at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 numbers per cage were introduced into the cages for feeding on capsule. A control check was maintained. At the time of harvest the severity of pod damage and the per cent pod damage were estimated. Simulation models were used to estimate pod damage, yield loss, pod damage rate and rate of yield loss both by nymphs and adult of sesame pod bug (SPB). The Mitcherlich curve was found to be the best among the simulation models tried. The results indicated that the pod damage and the yield loss increased with increase in bug population. The percentage of pod damage rate per unit was higher at lower levels of bug population and lower at higher levels. The rate of yield loss was higher at low levels of pod damage and lower at high levels of pod damage.