Effect of planting date and cultivar on the flea beetle population and damage of Psylliodes persicus in rape seed fields of Khuzestan province

KHAJEHZADEH, Y.; KEYHANIAN, A. A.

Effect of planting date and cultivar on the flea beetle population and damage of Psylliodes persicus in rape seed fields of Khuzestan province

Document Type : Agricultural Entomology

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Abstract

The flea beetle(Psylliodes persicus) (Col.: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important pests in oil seed rape fields in Khuzestan province. The adult beetles attacks young leaves and seedlings of the crop. At present, chemical control is performed against the pest, but alternative methods such as planting date, planting systems and resistance cultivars have been concerned. An experiment was carried out in split plot design with 3 main plot (Planting dates of 6 and 21 Nov. and 6 Dec.) and 4 sub plot (oil seed rape varieties: Hyola 401, Hyola 308, PF and Option) in 4 replications in Behbahan Agricultural Research Station in 2003-2005. The population fluctuation, pest density, percentage of infection and damage intensity were evaluated. Population fluctuation of the adult beetles was also investigated in oil seed rape fields of Behbahan in 2003-2004. The comparison of average effects of three factors (year, varity and planting date) showed that Hyola 308 had maximum of seed yield (2053 Kg/Ha) in planting date 6 Nov. with minimum of the pest population, damage percentage and intensity in 2002.The minimum of seed yield (1042 Kg/Ha) with maximum of beetles population, damage percentage and intensity, was belong to PF variety. Also the results showed that delay in planting date caused reduce yield, increase flea beetles numbers, damage percentage and intensity.

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