Damage by Pests and Phyllody to Sesamum indicum in Relation to the Time of Sewing

Abstract

Shoot webber and gallly incidence and phyllody infection wore assessed in 12 monthly sowings in gingelly during 1974-75. February. March and April sowings showed shoot webber infestation ranging from 10.4 to 16.9 per cent followed by a sharp decline in post activity in May to August sowings. The infestation increased in September to November sowings; the highest damage of 23.0 per cent was observed in October sown crop. Gallfly infestation was high in December and January sowings (23.3 and 21.3 per cent pod damage) while damage by this pest was absent in sowings from February to April. There was 63.6 per cent incidence in June sowing and the same ranged from 24.5 to 38.2 per cent in July, August, September and November sowings. The phyllody inci- dence was least in January, February and September sowings ranging from 0.21 to 0.83 per cent and the highest incidence of 33.9 per cent was observed in November sowing.