Influence of Meteorological Factors over the Incidence of chilli Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and its Chemical Control Strategies

The studies on incidence and bioefficacy of certain chemical pesticides against mites, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) in chilli were conducted at the farm of Vegetable Research Station, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani during Kharif 2002–03. The incidence of mites was highest during 40th meteorological week when the prevailing maximum-minimum temperatures, morning-evening relative humidities, rainfall and bright sunshine hours were 35.80C, 18.00C, 76%, 34%, 0.00 mm and 11 h, respectively. The mite population exhibited significant negative correlation with rainfall and positive correlation with bright sunshine hours. The regression equations worked out indicated that the population decreased by 0.055 and increased by 0.368 per unit increase of rainfall and bright sunshine hours, respectively. The treatment with application of phosphamidon 40% + imidacloprid 2% SP @ 700 g/ha was most effective for minimizing mite population. It was followed by phosphamidon 40% + imidacloprid 2% SP @ 600 g/ha, 500 g/ha and imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 112 ml/ha. The yield of green chilli was highest in the treatment phosphamidon 40% + imidacloprid 2% SP @ 700 g/ha.