Loss estimation due to sorghum aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) with respect to fodder yield and its quality

Field trials conducted for two seasons with five dates of sowing at weekly intervals commencing from the third week of September to the third week of October under protected and unprotected plots, to assess losses caused by aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) to fodder yield and quality of rabi sorghum revealed that, the crop sown during the IV week of September realized significantly higher fodder yield of 6.77 t/ha than early or late sowings. The loss in fodder yield in the unprotected condition over protected in different dates of sowing varied from 9.83 per cent in September IV week to 31.43 per cent in October III week with an average of 14.99 per cent. With delay in sowings there was an increased loss in fodder yield due to aphid damage. There was a gradual decrease in crude protein, crude fibre and total sugar contents of fodder and increase in the polyphenol content in fodder and aphid population with delayed sowings.