Surveys on seasonal incidence and management practices for the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci, Lindeman) adopted by farmers at Nashik, Maharashtra

Present study revealed that the mean population of onion thrips reached its peak, 55.45 thrips/plant in 14^th metrological week afterwards started to decline as the crop was nearing its maturity stage. The correlation between mean thrips population and weather data revealed that the mean maximum and minimum temperature had a positive and highly significant effect on the mean onion thrips (nymph & adult) population of all the six villages i.e. (r = 0.826** and r = 0.541*) respectively. Mean relative humidity (morning and evening) had a substantial negative influence on the mean onion thrips (nymph & adult) population of all six villages with ‘r’ value of -0.622* and -0.788**, respectively. The plot treated with fipronil 5% SC showed best effect by 68.77% mean thrips population percent reduction, followed by spinosad 45 SC 62.63% thrips population reduction. The mean per cent reduction in thrips population using acetamiprid 20 SP and dimethoate 30 EC were 60.27% and 60.24% respectively were par with each other. The least thrips population reduction was observed after the use of Beauveria bassiana (1 × spores/ha) 31.85%.