Division of Entomology & Nematology, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla-171 001, H.P. (India).
Studies for identifying the rat species responsible for causing economic yield losses and assessing their magnitude of damage to potato tubers and maize cobs in potato based inter-cropping system were carried out at/around Shimla (H.P.). Bandicota bengalensis (Gray), a predominant species of rats of this region was, mainly, responsible for such yield losses to both the crops. However, another species i.e., Rattus rattus (Linn.) was also seen casually. B. bengalensis activity started soon after the planting of potato crop was over i.e., in March-April when they fed upon mother tubers resulting in poor/gappy germination. From June till harvest, they damaged developing tubers. Severe yield losses, ranging from 18.0 to 71.0% were recorded. Potato cv. Kufri Chandramukhi was the most preferred variety due to maximum damage. Likewise, in the case of maize crop, inter-cropped with potatoes, B. bengalensis started damaging cobs in July and continued till harvest. Maximum (9.8%) damage was recorded during the second fortnight of August. Large and full grained cobs were preferred over small cobs containing scanty grains.
