Population dynamics of major sucking pests of Bt cotton and their relation with weather parameters

Abstract

Cotton, derived from the Arabic word, belongs to the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a major commercial crop worldwide and plays an important economic and employment role. This study, conducted at the VNMKV experimental farm, Parbhani, during Kharif 2022-23 and 2023-24, aimed to investigate the population dynamics of major sucking pests of Bt cotton and their relationship with weather parameters. Rashi -659 BG II variety, grown on a 12X 9 m plot under the practices weekly observations of sucking pests populations on randomly selected plants were correlated with weather data. The data reveal that the aphids first peak (52.50 aphids/three leaves) in 35th MW. And the first peak of aphid incidence was observed 39th MW (19.20 aphids/three leaves). during 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. Maximum population of leafhopper was recorded (40.34 leafhopper per three leaves) during 35th MW. Maximum population of leafhopper was recorded (40.22 leafhopper/3 leaves) during 40th MW, highest populations during 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. first peak 44.62 thrips/three leaves in 35th MW, The highest population during the season was 6.20 thrips/three leaves in 40th MW during, 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. The incidence of whiteflies was highest population (34.00 whiteflies/three leaves) in 35th week of September. The highest population (6.40 whiteflies per three leaves) during the season was observed in 40th MW, during 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively.