Effect of Different Sowing Dates on Insect Pest Population of Chillies (Capsicum annuam L)

Abstract

Different strategies have to be involved for keeping the pest in check and stabilizing the productivity of the cropping system. Date of planting is one of the crop habitat diversifications that are to be looked into, to minimize the incidence of insect pests on chilli crop so that its yield can be enhanced. The present study was conducted to observe the activity of insect pests of chilli crop using variety P-777 at Kunri, Mirpur Khas Sindh during 2014 which was based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four sowing dates, i.e. January 15th (SD1), January 30th (SD2), February 15th (SD3) and February 28th (SD4) and replicated thrice. The observation of insect pests was recorded at weekly intervals from first week of transplanting up to maturity. The results showed that the maximum mean aphids, thrips, jassids whitefly and fruit borer population of 0.527, 3.68, 0.46, 5.49  and 0.427 leaf-1 were found in SD4 and minimum of 0.36, 1.83, 0.01, 3.41 and 0.27 leaf-1 were present in SD1. However, the maximum bud mites population (0.381 leaf-1) was observed in SD1 followed by 0.26 mites leaf-1 in SD2 and minimum was found in SD3 and SD4 respectively. As regards to green pod yield, the finding of this study showed that maximum pod yield of 2.71 t ha-1 was produced in SD1 followed by 2.50 t ha-1 in SD2 and minimum yield of 1.72 leaf-1 was achieved in SD4.  It is inferred that early sowing (January 15th or January 30th) resulted in lower incidence of aphids, thrips, whitefly and fruit borer except mites. Such low level of insect pest caused less crop injury which resulted in enhancing the green pod yield of chilli.  So, it is suggested that for early sowing at Kunri region of Mirpur Khas the appropriate planting time can be January 15th and January 30th.

Keywords: Chillies, Insect Pest Population, and Different Sowing Dates