Forecasting of Lipaphis erysimi on oilseed Brassicas in India-a case study

Experiments at Bharatpur, Pantnagar, Berhampur, Mohanpur, New Delhi, S.K. Nagar, Kangra and Sriganganagar, India were sown with oilseed Brassica cultivars Varuna and an important cultivar for the area on 10 dates at weekly intervals. Data of experiments conducted previously at Hisar and Ludhiana as available in reports were also used for the study. Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) appearance on inflorescences of the plants was positively correlated to a maximum temperature between 20-29 °C in the preceding week and also to a morning relative humidity (RH) >92% and daily mean RH of >75%. Long hours of leaf wetness and minimum temperature >5 °C also favoured aphid infestation. Regional and cultivar specific models were developed to predict the crop age at which the mustard aphid first appears on the crop, the peak number of aphids and the crop age at peak number at least 1 week ahead of first appearance of the pest on the crop. These will allow growers to apply insecticides in a more timely and effective manner. Here we report only the models that were found effective based on validation in the 2 years.