Incidence of insect pests to plant density and nutrient levels in compact Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) under rain fed condition

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v69i2.3014

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of spacing and nutrients on insect pests infestation on compact desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) grown under rain fed condition during kharif season of 2019-20 to 2021-22 at Main Cotton Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Surat. The experiments were carried out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combinations with three replicates comprised of three levels of spacing viz., 60x15, 60x30 and 120x45 cm and three nutrient levels viz., 120, 150 and 180 kg N/ha. The population of sucking pests viz., leafhopper, thrips, whitefly and mealybug as well as open boll and locule damage by bollworms was recorded significantly lower in plant density at normal (recommended) spacing, 120×45 cm and vice a versa. Only the aphid population was found significantly lowest in closer spacing (60x15cm). Amongst nitrogen levels, there was significant difference with respect to N levels recorded significantly higher population of sucking pests  as well as open and locule damage at N level of 180 kg N/ha. With respect to treatment combinations, there was no significant difference in sucking pests (aphids, thrips, whitefly and mealybugs) and open boll and locule damage amongst different treatment combinations of spacing and nitrogen levels. However, the treatment combination comprising spacing of 120x45 cm and 120 kg N/ha recorded significantly lowest population of  leafhopper followed by treatment combination of spacing 120x45 cm with nitrogen level of 150 kg/ha. Hence, proper interventions for leafhopper required when compact desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) under rain fed condition was sown at closer spacing.

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Published

2026-04-13

Issue

Section

Research Paper

How to Cite

Bhanderi, G. (2026). Incidence of insect pests to plant density and nutrient levels in compact Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) under rain fed condition. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 69(2). https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v69i2.3014