Studies on Bio-ecology and Management of the Prevalent Species of Sugarcane White Grub in·western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Present investigation entitled "Studies on bio-ecology and management of the prevalent species of sugarcane white grub in western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh" was carried out during 2011- 12 and 2012 -13 on sugarcane crop in the farmer's field and Biocontrollab of S.V.P. University of Agriculture and Teclmology, Meerut. Twenty six species of beetles of white grubs were recorded in this region. The most dominant species were Holotrichia nagpurensis and H. sp. The least dominant species was Oryctes rhin~ceros. The seasonal occmrence studies revealed white grub Meladera insanabilis and Holotrichia nagpurensis emeraged as early and Catharsius molossus was. emerged late. In light and pheromone traps were fascinated maximum population of Holotrichia nagpurensis and H sp., Catharsius molossus was least fascinated. In host plant studies, neem, jamun and popular were fascinated maximum population of Holotrichia nagpurensis but H. sp., Anomala bengalensis was least fascinated and neem was the most preferred host plant during 2011-12 and 2012-13 Out of 35 grubs sampled, entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis species were recovered from grub of two samples and Heterorhabditis spp was identified in this region . The white grub species Holotrichia nagpurensis was dominant' on sugarcane crop. The total life cycle of Holotrichia nagpurensis was completed in about 254.5 days during 2011-12 and 2012-13. Among various treatments evaluated against white grub in laboratory as well as in field condition, all the treatments were found effective and significantly better than control. Hetrorhabditis indica 1000 IJs @4 x 109 ha-1was most effective and significantly superior to rest of the treatments. H. indica 2000 IJs @ 5 x 109 ha"1 proved to be next effective treatment in reducing grub population., B. bassiana 2 x 106 @5 Kg ha"1was least effective treatment. In field condition, all the treatments were found effective and significantly better than control. Metarhizium anisopliae 2 x 108 @ 5 Kg ha"1 , was most effective and significantly superior to rest of the treatments. H. indica 2000 IJs@ 5 x 10 9 ha"11 proved the next effective treatment in reducing grub population. B. bassiana 2 x 106 @5 Kg ha"1 was least effective treatment