Seasonal Population Dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera in Chickpea and Its Association with Weather Parameters in Meerut, India

Abstract

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is more serious insect pest of chickpea and
the knowledge of its population dynamics during each season is essential for proper pest
monitoring. In the present study, population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera in relation to
abiotic factors were studied during rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 in the Crop Research
Centre at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar
Pradesh. Weekly observations of larval populations were recorded from the 46th to the 14th
standard meteorological week (SMW), and their relationships with maximum, minimum, and
mean temperatures, morning relative humidity, and rainfall were examined using correlation
analysis. The first occurrence of Helicoverpa armigera was recorded during the 48th SMW,
with 0.30 and 0.10 larvae per 10 plants in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. The population
peaked at 12.20 larvae per 10 plants during the 10th SMW in 2022-23 and 12.40 larvae per 10
plants during the 11th SMW in 2023-24. Larval abundance was significantly correlated with
maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures in both seasons. Rainfall had positive non-
significant correlation while morning relative humidity had negative non-significant
correlation. These results confirm the significance of season-specific pest monitoring and
locally demonstrate the involvement of temperature in the variations in gram pod borer
population in chickpea.