Study of PCRA-Based Seasonal Incidence of Bemisia tabaci (Asia II 5) and its Management Along with its Effect on Natural Enemies in Potato Crop

Abstract

Abstract This research aimed to predict the seasonal incidence of whitefly, B. tabaci (Asia II 5) with its management by new plant systemic insecticides and their influence on natural enemies on potato crop. Results concluded that the whitefly population was slightly higher in 2020-21 than in 2019-20 and temperature (minimum and maximum), relative humidity (minimum), evaporation, and sunshine hours were key factors in determining the B. tabaci population buildup with reasonable accuracy (R2=0.82). Sequential spray of Diafenthiuron and Thiamethoxam (1.61 adults/3 compound leaves) was noticed to be the most effective treatment with the highest cost-benefit ratio (1:2.55), whereas two sequential sprays of Pymetrozine (3.17 adults/3 compound leaves) was found to be the least effective with the lowest cost-benefit ratio (1:1.61). All of the insecticides sequential spray examined were found to be either harmless or slightly detrimental to natural enemies (spiders and coccinellids). The current study concluded that B. tabaci population growth and seasonal incidence were greatly influenced by weather factors and this information validates the monitoring for early decision-making prior to developing insect pest management strategies against B. tabaci. Sequential spray of Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam were shown reliable both from bio-efficacy and economic point of view in managing B. tabaci infestations in potato crop and can be incorporated into the IPM module.

Keywords

• Bemisia tabaci
• management
• potato
• seasonal incidence
• whitefly