Optimizing Transplanting Dates for the Management of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer and Better Crop Yield under Field Conditions
Optimizing Transplanting Dates for the Management of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer and Better Crop Yield under Field Conditions
Wali Muhammad1*, Humayun Javed1, Munir Ahmad1 and Tariq Mukhtar2
ABSTRACT
Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) causes severe crop yield losses. Utilization of the ecological approach through different sowing times might provide its long-term control and safety to the environment. In the present study, effect of four sowing dates was evaluated on the infestation of L. orbonalis on brinjal at two locations in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. The study revealed that sowing dates influenced infestation by brinjal shoot and fruit borer. Shoot infestation significantly varied on brinjal at both locations sown at different dates. The maximum average shoot infestation of 9.7% was observed on late sown crop (10th of April) while the minimum average shoot infestation (8.9%) was recoded on crop sown on 20th of March. Square infestation on brinjal plants sown at different times was at par at both the locations and was found slightly higher at farmer field. The maximum average fruit infestation (52.8 %) was observed at URF Koont on early sown crop (1st of March) while the minimum (46.3 %) was observed on crop sown on 20th of March. At Rawat, the maximum mature infestation (54.5%) was observed on late sown crop (30th of April) while the minimum mature fruit infestation (47.8%) was recorded on crop sown at 20th of March. Similarly, the percentage of damaged fruit was higher (54.1%) on crop sown at 30th of April at Rawat while the minimum damage of 49.6% was observed on the crop sown on 20th of March. At URF Koont, the percentage of damaged fruit was statistically at par among all the four treatments. Yield losses were statistically at par at URF Koont ranging from 24.6% to 25% in all the treatments. However, the minimum yield loss of 22% was recorded on crop sown at 20th of March. At URF Koont, the maximum yield loss of 17% was recorded on early sown crop (1st of March) while the minimum yield loss of 13.1% was observed on crop sown at 20th of March. It is therefore, concluded that change in sowing dates can reduce the pest infestation and result in the enhancement of yield.
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June 2021
Vol. 53, Iss. 3, Pages 801-1200
