SURVEY FOR ASSESSMENT OF INSECT PEST INCIDENCE ON FCV TOBACCO IN KARNATAKA LIGHT SOILS

Abstract

FCV tobacco is an important commercial crop grown under monsoon climate in Karnataka Light Soils (KLS). Every year 100 million kg of tobacco is producing approximately, in this state. The quality of tobacco produced in this particular region is superior to other regions and is mainly of export oriented. Although there are several limiting factors of production, insect pest incidence plays an important role. Four major insect pests Viz., tobacco aphid, Myzus nicotianae, caterpillar, Spodoptera litura, bud worm, Helicoverpa armigera and stem borer, Scobipalpa heliopa are the commonly occurring insect pests in this region. The intensity of these above pests varies from region to region. The pest damage is mainly dependant on the weather conditions and management practices adopted in that area. The survey in this particular locality during the peak crop season will help in identifying the key/major pest and its extent of damage. The data generated will help in formulating projects on management of insect pests based on their damage and economic threshold levels. The data will also help in developing a forecast model for major pests of tobacco and tobacco based cropping systems which in turn will help in taking timely management practices. Hence, keeping the above concept in view, a survey for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012 was conducted for assessment of insect pest incidence in KLS tobacco.