Association of Agrometeorologists

Influence of weather parameters on the population dynamics of sesbania thrips (Caliothrips indicus Bagnall) in groundnut in Saurashtra region

V. NANDAGOPAL, T.V.PRASAD, M.V.GEDIA and A.D.MAKWANA

Caliothrips indicus Bagnall commonly known as sesbania thrips is one of the serious pests of groundnut in Saurashtra region causing extensive losses. Regression analysis of populations of Caliothrips indicus for five consecutive years (1994-1998) at Junagadh in Saurashtra region of Gujarat were used to develop forecasting model in relation to weather parameters. Using regression equation the predicted values of occurrence of thrips were calculated from 1999 to 2002. There was minimum deviation between the actual and predicted values of thrips population during certain months, indicating the feasibility of predicting the population occurrence using the prevailing weather factors.

Caliothrips indicus,Weather parameters