Population dynamics of insect pests associated with broccoli, Brassica oleracea var italica L. during rabi

Abstract

Studies on the population dynamics of major insect pests on broccoli was conducted at Saidapur farm, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad during rabi 2022-23. The results revealed that the peak population of Spodoptera litura Fabricius was noticed during 52nd Standard Meteorological Week with population of 4.54 larvae per plant, Plutella xylostella Linnaeus reached its peak level during 2nd SMW (2nd week of January) with population of 4.31larvae per plant. The population of Trichoplusia ni Hubner and Helicoverpa armigera Hubner population were less predominant and reached their peak population of 1.82 and 1.68 larvae per plant, respectively. Myzus persicae Sulzer was persisted throughout the cropping period with maximum population (4.91/cm2) during 52nd SMW. Correlation of insect pests of broccoli with weather parameters resulted that aphid’s population was positively correlated (r=0.688) and defoliators like S. litura (r=-0.355) and P. xylostella (r=-0.123) were negatively correlated with maximum temperature.