Influence of weather parameters on the incidence of cowpea golden mosaic virus and its vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Whitefly population was severely influenced by weather parameters i.e., temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. The rainfall adversely effected population followed by temperature and relative humidity. There was a positive corelation between the population and Cowpea Golden Mosaic Virus (CpGMV) incidence. Cowpea-88 (cultivar) had the maximum population (20.67 adults per plant) during the second fortnight of May, August and September. Cowpea-88 was the most preferred cultivar while Cowpea-263 had mean population. Cultivars, CL-367 and CL-397 were followed by Cowpea-88 in terms of feeding preferences. Whitefly population was very low in AC-6, IC-5, IC-8, IC-9 and IC-11 while cultivar Cowpea-88 was relatively more susceptible to CpGMV (41%). Cowpea-263 had minimum virus infection (9.96%), and germplasms i.e. AC-7, IC-5, IC-8, IC-9, IC-11 had very less virus infection.