Monitoring of Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera through Pheromone Trap in Chickpea, Cicer arietinum L Crop and their Influence with Abiotic Parameters
Abstract
The present research experiments were carried out during Rabi season of the year 2022-23 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Baba Raghav Das PostGraduate College, Deoria (UP) to monitor the population of Helicoverpa armigera by using pheromone traps in chickpea (variety-‘Pusa-261’). The male moth catches of H. armigera was recorded from 4th SMW (1.5 moths/trap/week) and the moths catches increased in subsequent weeks and reached at peak during 6th, 7th and 8th SMW with 4 moths/trap/week, 3.5 moths/trap/week and 4 moths/trap/week, respectively, between 2nd week of February to 4th week of February, at vegetative to reproductive stage of crop. Abiotic factors such as rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures showed a non-significant negative correlation with male moth catches of Helicoverpa armigera, while maximum and minimum relative humidity exhibited a positive correlation. However, all the weathers parameters together influenced the H. armigera male moth’scatches in the chickpea up to extent of 75.93%.
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Introduction
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) commonly known as gram or Bengal gram is the most important pulse crop. Globally, India ranked first in area and production [1]. India produces 11.74 million tons of chickpea from 10.01 million ha with an average production of 1164 kg/ ha [2]. However, chickpea production is not fully achieved a mid-different biotic and abiotic stresses [3]. Among biotic factors, diseases, insect pests, nematodes, birds and vertebrates harm the crop but damage due to insects is more striking than others. Nearly 60 insect species are known to feed on chickpea [4,5]. In eastern Uttar Pradesh the major insect pests which attack on chickpea crop are mainly H. armigera (Hubn.), Spodoptera litura (F.), Agrotis ipsilon (Hubn.), Plusia orichalsia (F) and Bemisia tabaci (Genn). Among these, H. armigera is the most destructive and very notorious insect pests, bear polyphagous nature. Weather factors playa crucial role in the regulation of population of insects [6]. The yield losses vary from 6.88% to 50% in the chickpea due to pod borer infestation [7] and 50-100% in favourable weather conditions particularly when there are frequent rains and cloudy weather during the cropping seasons [8]. In India the population of H. armigera flourished during second half of February and outbreak situation were found throughout March. Pheromone traps playa crucial role in monitoring the population of H. armigera within integrated pest management (IPM) programs [9]. The incidence of this pest has been observed almost throughout the crop growing season. Therefore, an attempt has been made to develop an environmentally sound pest management strategy for this pest [10]. Keeping these points in view, the present investigation was carried out to monitor the population of H. armigera and its relationship with abiotic factors like; temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum) and rainfalls.
Conclusion
These investigations therefore indicate that pheromone traps are important tools for monitoring of H. armigera population. The period of high moth catches suggests the potential for significant larval damage, emphasizing the need for timely intervention. Therefore, immediate control measures using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), rather than relying solely on widespread insecticide use, are essential to address this potential infestation.
