Insect population associated with black gram and the influence of abiotic factors on the occurrence of insect pests affecting black gram

Introduction

Pulses, the food legumes have been grown by farmers since millennia providing nutritionally balanced food to the people of India and many other countries in the world (Nene, 2006) [1] and pulses are popularly known as "Poor man's meat" and "rich man's vegetable". India is major pulses growing country in the world and Madhya Pradesh is largest producer state. The major pulse crops that have been domesticated and are under cultivation include kharif pulses like green gram, black gram, red gram, cow pea and Rabi pulses like lentil, chickpea, pea etc. Among the pulses Chickpea, Pigeon pea, Mungbean, Urdbean, Lentil and Field pea are the important crops which are widely cultivated at national & global level. Pulses are the major source of protein in the vegetarian diet in our country, besides being a rich source of protein, they maintain soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation in soil and thus play a vital role in furthering sustainable agriculture.

Methods and Materials

The present studies were conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior during kharif season of 2018-19. Shikhar-3 variety of black gram were sown on 9 August 2018 in a plot size of 9.0 m X 10.0 m with spacing of 30 m X 10 m. Fertilizer dose for each crop was given @ 20 kg N + 50 kg P 2 O 5 /ha. Normal agronomical practices were followed for raising the crop successfully.

Results

The activity of aphid, jassid and whitefly started from 34 th SMW and continued till the harvest of the crop with its peak population (22.3, 4.2 and 9.0 insects/3compound leaves/plant) in 38 th , 39 th and 39 th SMW, respectively. Jat et al., (2017) [2] reported aphid population attained its peak population on 2 nd week of September (37 th) SMW. Mahapatra et al., (2018) [3] also reported that jassid and whitefly attained its peak population in 39 th SMW. The activity of coreid bug and flea beetle was started from 37 th SMW with its peak population (2.9 and 3.2 insects/plant) in 39 th and 40 th SMW. The incidence of Coccinellid beetle was started from 35 th SMW till the harvest of the crop with its peak abundance (1.9 beetles/plant) in 41 th SMW. Mahapatra et al., (2018) [3] reported peak population of coccinellid beetle was observed in the 41 th SMW. Correlation studies indicated population of aphid, jassid, whitefly, coreid bug, flea beetle and Coccinella beetle on black gram significantly positive correlated with maximum temperature and evaporation. Kataria and Kumar (2016) [4] reported aphid population showed positive correlation with high temperature. Beeraganni (2012) [5] reported correlation of aphid found positive and significant with evaporation. Rakhshan et al., (2018) [6] also reported aphids and predators interaction greatly influenced by environmental condition such as temperature. Sujata and Bharpoda (2017) [7] reported jassids population showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. Chandra et al., (2010) [8] reported population of whitefly were positively correlated with maximum temperature. Kumar et al., (2007) [9] also reported population of whitefly significantly correlated with maximum temperature. Nayak et al., (2004) [10] reported high mean ambient temperature favored pest population build-up. The aphid and whitefly population positively correlated with minimum temperature. Chandra et al., (2010) [8] reported that population of whitefly positively correlated with minimum temperature.

There was no relationship between the observed insect fauna on black gram with humidity and rainfall.

Conclusion

Pulses play a crucial role in both human nutrition and sustainable agriculture due to their high protein content and ability to enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

The study conducted on black gram revealed that the population dynamics of aphids, jassids, whiteflies, coreid bugs, flea beetles, and coccinellid beetles were significantly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and evaporation. These findings align with previous research, confirming that higher temperatures positively correlate with the population growth of these pests. Understanding these correlations is essential for improving pest management strategies in pulse crops, ultimately supporting agricultural productivity and sustainability.

References

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