Influence of Weather Factors on Incidence and Infestation of Shoot and Fruit Borer in Brinjal

Aims: To correlate the influence of weather variables on population dynamics, incidence and infestation of Brinjal shoot and fruit Borer (BFSB) in Brinjal.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS) at Ranital, Bhadrak Odisha and at Instructional Farm at OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for period of 1 year.

Methodology: The population of Brinjal shoot and fruit Borer were recorded from transplanting to harvest of the crop. Five random plants were selected and tagged for observation recording, except boarder plants. To determine the percentage of affected shoots, brinjal plants showing signs of delicate shoots drooping, withering, and drying were counted. Similarly, the population was correlated with weather conditions and the number of fruits showing signs of bore holes on fruits was tallied to estimate the percent fruit infection.

Results: The investigation indicates that quantitatively establish the relationship of weather parameters as varied with the dates of sowing (23 May,20 November2021, 21 January2022) and Brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB).The studies revealed that the peak population of brinjal shoot and fruit borer was observed during 34th SMW (22-28 August), 5th SMW(30 January- 5 February) and 18th SMW(1-7May) with shoot infestation(38.44%), (11.10%) and (57.99%) respectively. The fruit was infested with a peak of 47.55%, 27.07% and 63.84% on 39th SMW (26 September- 2 October), 9th SMW (27February-5March) and 18th SMW (1-8May) respectively. The BSFB shows positive significant correlation with relative humidity.

Conclusion: The population of BSFB fluctuates with change in temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. On first sowing date BSFB population has a less population dynamics comparatively to other two sowing dates. So it is concluded for early sowing results in less pest population.