Preventing rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri scopoli) depredations to sunflower using ecofriendly management methods

Ecofriendly management methods including netting, reflective ribbons, silver shining plates, reflective mirrors (CDs), and scare crow were evaluated to prevent damage of Rose-ringed Parakeet at germinating and maturity stage of Sunflower crop fields at University Seed Farm, Ladhowal and Regional Research Statioin, Ballowal Saunkhri. The plots of 4m² were selected at the edges as well as in the interior of the experimental field for damage assessment. The damage in control fields of USF and RRS was 19.40±8.13 and 15.20±6.27, respectively. The fields having reflective ribbons, silver shining plate, reflective mirrors, scare crows showed 8.70±4.31, 13.40±6.14, 14.70±7.25, 18.90±8.07% damage at USF, Ladhowal and 5.80±2.77,10.30±4.21, 12.00±3.03,14.40±5.19% damage at RRS, Ballowal Saunkhri, respectively. At both the locations, netting was 100% effective in controlling the damage. Amongst the treatments, reflective ribbons were significantly effective in controlling the damage followed by the silver shining plates as compared to control. There was no significant difference between control fields, fields with reflective mirrors and scare crows (P<0.05).