Influence of Abiotic Factors on Panicle Population of Mango Hoppers in Selected Mango Varieties

Field studies were conducted to study the seasonal incidence and influence of abiotic factors on the population of mango hoppers in panicles of seven varieties of mango during 2005–2010 and weather based pest forewarning models were developed using regression models. The seasonal incidence of mango hoppers, Ideoscopus spp. was observed in the panicles during 49^th std.week with the peak incidence during 8^th and 9^th std.weeks and the pest disappeared by 13^th std.week. Among the seven varieties, AU-Rumani was more preferred by the pest while Peddarasam was least preferred. Correlation –coefficient studies revealed the significant negative influence of relative humidity and positive influence of maximum temperature, evaporation and wind speed on the population of mango hoppers. Weather based Pest forewarning models developed in seven varieties of mango for mango hoppers explained the variation in mango hoppers population by 25 to 49% with linear models as compared to 28 to 71% obtained with non linear models.