Effect of weather parameters on the incidence of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) in cabbage

Abstract

Studies were conducted to understand the effect of weather parameters on the incidence of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) on cabbage at Horticulture Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. India during rabi, 2019-20 and 2020-21. In both the seasons, a markedly high population of diamondback moth larvae was recorded (9.18 larvae/ plant) during the 2nd week of March, 2020 and 10.15 larvae/plant during the 3rd week of March, 2021, respectively. Similarly, the peak populations of diamondback moth pupae were noticed during the 4th week of February (6.45 pupae/ plant) and the 1st week of March (7.08 pupae/ plant). DBM larval and pupal populations had a significant positive correlation with maximum atmospheric temperature and sunshine hours while a significant negative correlation was observed with mean relative humidity during both years. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2=0.705) and (R2=0.591) indicated that 70.50 and 59.10 per cent of variation in the larval populations during 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Similarly, DBM pupal population directed a collective influence of 56.60 per cent (R2=0.566) and 50.00 per cent (R2 = 0.500) during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively.