Forewarning model for sunflower thrips (Thrips palmi Karny) in western Maharashtra scarcity zone

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out with the sunflower variety Bhanu/SS-56 to study the effect of weather parameters on thrips (Thrips palmi Karny) population at Zonal Agriculture Research Station, Solapur (MS) during kharif seasons for ten consecutive years (2004 to 2013). The crop was sown during 15th June to 15th July in different yeas, which is normal sowing period at Solapur. The thrip population was positively correlated with maximum temperature while it was negatively correlated with RH-I, RH-II and rainfall. The eight years (2004 to 2011) data were used for development of model, which was validated with experimental data of two years (2012 and 2013). The model explained the incidence of thrips on sunflower to an extent of 88 %. Hence, this model can be used for predicting the incidence of thrips on sunflower.

Keywords

• Forewarning model
• validation,
• sunflower,
• thrips.