Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Email: kaundal.priyanka10@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Population dynamics of Thrips tabaci Lindeman was evaluated on three cultivars of onion viz., Palam Lohit, Palam White and Patna Red during rabi, 2016–17 and 2017–18 in midhill regions of Himachal Pradesh. Thrips infestation was observed to be initiating in mid- February with peak being in the 2nd fortnight of April. Palam Lohit cultivar was showing maximum infestation. The analyses revealed that among the weather factors, Tmax and Tmin influenced the incidence in a positive relationship and significantly. The effect of relative humidity (morning and evening), rainfall, number of rainy days, bright sunshine and wind speed was found to be non- significant. Temperature of 12.2 to 17.7 (Tmin) and 26.4 to 31.9C (Tmax) was favouring the buildup of incidence. Based on diurnal activity of T. tabaci, the appropriate time of population estimation was observed to be in the afternoon (13:00 hr).
Thrips tabaci, Onion, Seasonal abundance, Cultivars, Infestation, Infestation index, Weather factors, Population estimation, Sampling, Diurnal rhythm, Himachal Pradesh
