Effect of meteorological parameters on the incidence of insect-pests of green gram during summer and Kharif season

Green gram is a leguminous crop cultivated for its edible seed and recorded 30-50 percent losses in yield due to insect pests. It is important to understand the incidence of insect pests in the field and their relation with weather conditions. The crop was sown two times in a year, first in April-July (summer season) and second in August-October (Kharif season). Two insect pests (Bemisia tabaci and Aphis craccivora) were recorded from the summer season and two (Liriomyza cicerina and Helicoverpa armigera) were recorded from the Kharif season. B. tabaciand A. craccivora were reported during 20th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), reached peak at 23rd SMW. L. cicerina and H. armigera were observed first time during the 38th SMW and reached peak at 40th SMW. The correlation coefficient between the insect pests and meteorological parameters revealed a positive significant correlation with maximum temperature and a negative non-significant correlation with minimum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The information generated from the seasonal incidence of insect-pest will be helpful in improving crop yield and sustainable agriculture.