Seasonal Abundance of Insect Pests of Broccoli in North
Eastern Hill Region of India
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Author:T. Boopathi and K.A. Pathak
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:99, Issue:jan-mar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100029
Abstract
Broccoli crop was invaded by sixteen insect pests, one mite and eleven natural enemies in
North Eastern Hill Region of India. The incidence of Pieris spp. was noticed from seedling
stage to harvest and attained the peak level of infestation in second week of December (1.98
larvae per plant). Pieris spp. showed significantly negative correlation with Plutella xylostella
(-0.419), Lipaphis erysimi (-0.376) and Phyllotreta cruciferae (-0.310), whereas P. xylostella
exhibited significantly positive correlation with L. erysimi (0.536) and P. cruciferae (0.479)
population. L. erysimi was noticed throughout the cropping period but attained the peak level
of infestation in the first week of March (1010.20 aphids per leaf). L. erysimi showed non
significant correlation with population of P. cruciferae (0.233). P. cruciferae was more abundant
(5.38) during the month of February. Tetranychus cinnabarinus was more dominant and caused
severe damage.
Key words : Broccoli, pest complex, natural enemy, seasonal incidence.