Studies on seasonal activity of white fly (Bemisia tabaci genn.) population and its association with weather parameters in Bundelkhand zone of Madhya Pradesh.

An experiment was conducted during ten consecutive kharif seasons from 1995 to 2004 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station Tikamgarh to the seasonal activity of white study fly and its association of weather parameters in sesame crop (cv JT-7). The analysis revealed that the activity of the pest started from 30(th) standard meteorological week and remained up to 39(th) SMW. The highest population was recorded during 37(th) SMW. White fly population was correlated with weather data. Correlation coefficient and regression equations were worked out for development of weather based prediction model. White fly to have population was observed to have significantly positive correlation with minimum temperature and rainfall and negative correlation with maximum temperature. The multiple regression technique was used for developing predictive model using white fly population and weather data not only for the corresponding week but also for preceding weeks The equation explains more than the 98 percent pest population variation.