EFFECT OF WEATHER FACTORS ON POPULATION OF HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA (GRAM POD BORER) AND SPILOSOMA OBLIQUA WALKER (BIHAR HAIRY CATERPILLAR) AT BHARWARI, KAUSHAMBI, U.P.

Abstract

During rabi season of 2001, 2002 and 2003 the population levels were almost alike. However, the population levels of this pest was comparatively low during kharif and zaid crop season of each year. The capitulum borers (incidence exhibited showed increased trend during all cropping season of each year. A significant direct relationship was found between incidence and temperature (maximum or minimum during rabi season of all the years. The similar relationship was also found during zaid season of all the year. But kharif season of all the year the incidence was found to depend on the minimum temperature. However, a significant positive relationship between incidence and relative humidity was found in kharif season of 2001 alone (r = +0.872).