Critical timings and methods of rodent pest management in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop

The field efficacy of 2% zinc phosphide and 0.005% bromadiolone baits at two different crop stages for reducing rodent damage and yield loss in groundnut crop was evaluated. Trials were conducted at farmer's fields at villages Powat and Sehjomajra of district Ludhiana and village Kalsian of district Sangrur in Punjab (India). Reduction in rodent activity and damage was compared when given single treatment in the month of September at pod maturity stage (using either zinc phosphide or bromadiolone) and when given two treatments, first in the month of August (using zinc phosphide) at pod formation stage and second in the month of September (using bromadiolone). Results revealed significantly (P≥0.05) higher reduction in rodent activity with two rodenticide treatments (79.98–92.18%) than single treatment (54.37–67.82%). The reduction in rodent damage compared to untreated reference fields was found to be 87–100% in fields given two treatments and 44.43–87.54% in fields given single treatment.