Weather dependent variations in insect pests population in okra

In present study on the seasonal incidence of major insect pests in okra, maximum population of whitefly (12.73 ± 1.10 per three leaves) and jassid (11.13 ± 1.50 per three leaves) was recorded during the 36th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) while maximum infestation of fruit borer (2.60 ± 0.55 larvae per plant) occurred during the 39th SMW. In case of E. vittella, the maximum shoot infestation (15.58 ± 0.02%) was observed in the 35th SMW, and maximum fruit infestation (19.88 ± 0.09%) was recorded in the 39th SMW. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between whitefly and jassid populations and minimum temperature. In contrast, fruit borer incidence exhibited a significant negative correlation with wind speed. Shoot infestation was positively correlated with minimum temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed, while fruit infestation was significantly negatively correlated with wind speed. Multiple regression analysis exhibit that meteorological factors including maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, rainfall, wind velocity, and sunshine hours collectively explained 75.90% (R² = 0.759), 70.80% (R² = 0.708), 65.30% (R² = 0.653), 90.50% (R² = 0.905), and 69.90% (R² = 0.699) of the variability in whitefly, jassid, fruit borer, shoot infestation, and fruit infestation, respectively.