Population Dynamics of Major Insect Pests Associated with Karanja (Pongomia pinnata L.) Pierre Based Agroforestry System

Abstract

A study was carried out at Jabalpur (M.P.), India on the population dynamics of the major inspect pests in Karanja (Pongomia pinnata L.) Pierre in 40 provenances intercropped with soybean. Three major insect pests namely leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii), white fly (Bemissia tabaci) and and stemfly (Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner)) were found infesting the karanja trees well as soybean crop A girdle beetle (Obereopsis bravis) and cow bug were also observed. Incidence of cow bug started in the first week of July and continued up to last of September. The population of cow bug attained its peak. by the middle of August at minimum and maximum temperature of 23.5℃ and 31.5℃ respectively, minimum and maximum relative humidity of 75% and 88% respectively and rainfall of 122 mm. The incidence of stem fly appeared from second week of august and continued up to last week of October and its highest population synchronized with adequate number of leaves of tree. The correlation studies a significant and positive correlation and did not differ significant between the insect population of white fly, girdle beetle and bark cater pillar between The population dynamics of Jassid. stem fly girdle, and bark eating caterpillar was not affected by average relative humidity.