Indexing

Seasonal incidence of Cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Matile-Ferrero) on Cassava Manihot esculenta

Author: Nitya Sree G.R., Saminathan V.R., Saravanan P.A., Jeyarajan Nelson S., Murugan M. and Vellaikumar S.

PDF Download PDF

Abstract

The influence of weather parameters on the incidence of cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Matile-Ferrero) was studied in 2023 on five different cassava varieties in Tamil Nadu, India. A random survey was conducted where pest damage and pest incidence were correlated with weather parameters like maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and rainfall. Peak activity of mealybug and its damage was recorded on the 16th SMW (0.87) and on the 18th SMW (1.24) respectively. Tapioca variety Mulluvadi was susceptible and Yethapur 2 was resistant to cassava mealybug. Weather parameters contributed 71 per cent variation (R2 = 0.71) in the total mean population and 72 per cent variation (R2 = 0.72) in total mean damage. In Mulluvadi variety, mealybug population had a positive correlation with temperature (r=0.69) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (r=0.74). Mealybug damage was positively correlated with minimum temperature (r=0.80) in cassava variety Sree Raksha.

Keywords

Phenacoccus manihoti, Cassava, seasonal incidence, damage, correlation

Conclusion

The Cassava mealybug P. manihoti population was high during the summer season. Maximum temperature was positively correlated and humidity was negatively correlated with mealybug incidence. Therefore, it can be established that high temperature favors a high population of mealybug whereas, rainfall and relative humidity reduce the incidence of pest. Mulluvadi variety which was one of the highly preferred varieties by farmers harboured a high incidence of mealybug. So, resistant varieties, timely sowing, and proper irrigation must be taken into consideration before planting cassava.

References

-

How to cite this article

Nitya Sree G.R., Saminathan V.R., Saravanan P.A., Jeyarajan Nelson S., Murugan M. and Vellaikumar S. (2023). Seasonal incidence of Cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Matile-Ferrero) on Cassava Manihot esculenta. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 221-226.