Abstract

Studies were carried out to assess the influence of weather parameters on the incidence of coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (F.) at three locations in lower Pulney hills of Tamil Nadu during 2004 - 05 and 2005 - 06. In all the three locations, the infestation was higher (19.71%) in robusta than in arabica coffee varieties. In both the varieties, the peak period of infestation occurred between November and December. Correlation between weather parameters and infestation of coffee berry borer revealed a negative association with maximum temperature and rainfall at all the three locations while a positive relationship with maximum and minimum relative humidity with reference to the infestation of berry borer. Irrespective of the locations surveyed the population build-up of coffee berry borer in left over berries had served as a main source of inoculum for their carryover to the next season. The mean number of borer adults emerged from gleaning was high (21.72) due to rain followed by 12.93 and 12.52 recorded in mere water spray and surface temperature, respectively.

Keywords: Abiotic factors, coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei.