06-08-2013, 04:39 PM
Role of insect pest as vectors in okra and their integrated management
ABSTRACT
Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench is an important vegetable crop and extensively cultivated in Jammu region. However, the major problem in limiting the productivity of okra crop is being its susceptibility to a large number of insect pests including vectors during various stages of crop growth. In this context, field study was conducted to record the pest complexes, utilization of pheromone traps for mass destruction of shoot and fruit borers and evaluation of bio-efficacy of some novel insecticides against major insect pests of okra during the rainy season 2010 and summer season 2011. The study revealed that the leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula; whitefly, Bemisia tabaci; leaf folder, Sylepta derogata and the shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella and Helicoverpa armigera were recorded as the major insect pests and inflicted heavy damage to okra. Results of co-relation studies based on two years data indicated that weather parameters play a major role in affecting the population buildup of these insect pests of okra. Installation of pheromone was also assessed for shoot and fruit borer moth trapping and was found effective in catching higher number of shoot and fruit borer moth and thereby reducing their damage. Of the insecticidal schedules applied against the major insect pests of okra, imidacloprid (seed treatment) - neem oil- indoxacarb, acetamprid (seed treatment) - neem oil- spinosad, followed by three sprays of indoxacarb, spinosad and metasystox were most effective treatments in reducing leafhopper and whitefly population while indoxacarb, spinosad and metasystox were effective treatments in suppressing the infestation of leaf folder and fruit and shoot borers. For effective and sound management of okra insect pests, the present study helps in formulating the suitable IPM practices in reducing the infestation of insect pests of okra in this location.