Relative Abundance of Insect Pests on French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Relation to Abiotic Factors

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2021-22. The incidence of insect pests like aphid, whitefly, Jassid, leaf miner, pod borer was initiated 25 days after sowing till harvesting. The highest incidence of Jassid was observed on French bean crop at 9th SMW (7.20 per cage) and lowest 1st SMW (0.30 per cage), Aphid 8thSMW (45.20 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot) and 52thSMW (2.60 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot). The highest incidence of whitefly observed in 8th SMW (20.70 per cage) and lowest 2nd SMW (0.60 per cage). The highest incidence of Leaf miner was recorded in 11th SMW (40.50% leaf damage) and lowest in 51th SMW (1.50% leaf damage). The highest incidence of pod borer was noticed in 9th SMW (8.70 larvae per plant) and lowest in 1st SMW (0.30 larvae per plant). The Jassid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive significant correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with minimum temperature whereas, significant negative correlation with rainfall and negative non-significant correlation with relative humidity. The aphid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The whitefly population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The leaf miner population showed positive highly significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. The pod borer population showed highly significant correlation with maximum temperature and sunshine. The information generated in the present research can be successfully utilized to formulated effective insect pest management strategies in French bean.