Survey and Surveillance of Parthinium hysterophorus: Major Alternate Host of Cotton Mealy bug in Rajasthan

Parthinium hysterophorus L. is an obnoxious fast growing alien annual weed, most commonly known as a congress grass or carrot grass. It is a main source of nuisance and health hazard to human and animal, it has become one of the seven most dangerous weed of the World due to its well known ability to destroy the major portion of nutrient, natural vegetation a create havoc in field. Survey was conducted during kharif season of the year of 2008 and 2009 in a district of Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Ajmer, Nagour, Jodhpur and Pali districts of Rajasthan for alternate host of mealy bug. Surveillance of mealy bug infestation was found greater when Parthinium population was high in surveyed area of Rajasthan. Three species of mealy bug were found in cotton surveyed area of Rajasthan. Phenacoccus solani is the most predominant in the state followed by Maconellicoccus hirsutum in and Phenacoccus solenopsis. Out of three species P. solani was found in greater intensity in the surveyed area of Rajasthan and its infestation was up to 91.46% followed by M. hirsutum 7.66%. While P. solenopsis was negligible. During the years 2008 and 2009 maximum mealy bug infestation in Bt.cotton was 32.62% and 24.75% respectively. Thus in present study it is revealed that mealy bug infestation was recorded higher in district Sriganganagar followed by Hanumangarh, Alwar, Ajmer, Nagour, and Jodhpur and in least in Pali district Pali. Parthinium hysterophorus acts as major mealy bug host followed by Gossyium barbarium Achyranthes aspera, Aerva javanica, Datura stamonium, Hibiscus rosa chinensis, Sesbania aculeate, Abutilon bidentatum, Cyperus rotandus, Citrus spp.