Preliminary studies on the mulberry mite diversity and dynamics in Kashmir

A preliminary study has been undertaken at CSR&TI, Pampore, Kashmir during summer – autumn seasons of 2010 to delineate the species diversity, seasonal behaviour and varietal performance. Weekly observations from July to October, 2010 revealed that all the commercial varieties of mulberry showed varied level of infestation by mites. The mite diversity comprised of two phytophagous Tetranychus sp. and Panonychus sp. (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and two predacious Agistemus sp. (Prostigmata: Stigmaeidae) and Euseius sp. (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae). Tetranychus sp. was predominant on Goshoerami variety of mulberry and, Panonychus sp. on KNG. Among the predacious mites, Agistemus sp. was predominantly noticed on Tr10 mulberry variety and Euseius sp. on Goshoerami. Irrespective of varieties and training type, the mite infestation was relatively more in the beginning of the study (15 July, 2010) which subsequently declined and the mite density oscillated between 0.55 to 0.29 mites/25 sq cm. Among the five mulberry varieties observed, the highest mite population was recorded on KNG followed by Tr10 and Ichinose. Chinese white registered the lowest mite diversity among all. Mite population was higher on the leaves in the middle position followed by top in all the varieties except KNG variety. Among three training types studies, dwarf and bush training types recorded relatively higher mite population than the tree type. Correlation analysis of mite population with weather factors in majority showed a positive association in general but, non-significant.