Impact of meteorological factors on population of major insect pests in tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. under middle Gujarat condition

Abstract

Investigation on major insect pests in tomato was carried out at Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14. Whitefly population was noticed from 39th standard meteorological week (SMW) with maximum population in 45th SMW (2.72 whiteflies/ 3 compound leaves). Aphid population was noticed from 42nd SMW with highest peak in 52nd SMW (0.98). Maximum larval population of leaf miner was observed in 48th SMW with number of larva 0.86 per 3 compound leaves. The activity of Helicoverpa armigera commenced from 39th SMW with larval population in the range of 0.12 to 1.86 per 3 twigs. Correlation study was carried out to find out impact of abiotic factors on the activity of insect pests. Wind speed on whitefly, H. armigera, leaf miner, spider; maximum temperature on aphid and spider; evening relative humidity on whitefly, aphid, leaf miner and evaporation on aphid were key abiotic factors influencing significantly on the fluctuation of the pests.