Response of Mid and Short Season Promising Genotypes of Cotton Crop to Earias vittella (Fab.) Infestation in Punjab, Pakistan
Response of Mid and Short Season Promising Genotypes of Cotton Crop to Earias vittella (Fab.) Infestation in Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Tahir Jan1,2, Mushtaq Ahmad Saleem3,*, Muhammad Binyameen1,* and Sarfraz Ali Shad1
ABSTRACT
Spotted bollworm, Earias vittella Fab (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is serious Asiatic pest, particularly associated with cotton in Pakistan. The study was planned to determine response of long and short duration cotton genotypes to E. vittella infestation. Field experiment was conducted at the Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan for two years. Long and short duration genotypes were sown during the 3rd week of May to investigate their response to E. vittella. E. vittella infestation (damage in fruits and larval population) was almost similar during both the years of experimentation. However, the fruiting parts were higher during second year as compared to the first year. The response of the genotypes CIM-496 and CIM-506 was variable to E. vittella infestation in fruiting parts and damage in mature bolls. Treatments showed significant impact on fruiting parts, number of damage fruits and larval population. However, no significant interaction was observed between the varieties and treatments. The most critical months were August and September in which the rate of IMF damaged by single larva was 4.5 and 4.1 and MB at the rate of 1.5 and 1.6 in CIM-496 while 3.6 and 4.1 IMF and 1.7 MB damage per larva in CIM-506, respectively. By controlling the pest infestation up to70-80% damage or 66% larval population, the yield was increased by 22-24% in long or short duration genotypes. Inevitable losses due to E. vittella were 0.8% in IMF or 0.3-0.4% in MB even with 10 applications in both the genotypes. The critical tolerance period for the long duration genotype CIM 496 was the last week of August and for short duration genotype CIM-506 was the second week of August. Similarly losses compensation was 4.5 and 9.1% higher in long duration genotypes as compared to short duration genotype in 1%TL and TL2, respectively. It was concluded that E. vittella can cause 22-24% fruiting losses if the pest is not controlled. Plant protection measures should therefore be taken before the critical tolerance period.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
