Cereal Research Communications
Volume/Issue:
Volume 44: Issue 3
Laboratory and field studies demonstrating the insecticidal potential of diatomaceous earth against wheat aphids in rice-wheat cropping system of Punjab (India)
Authors:
B. Singh Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India

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and
V. Singh Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India

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Pages:
435–443
Online Publication Date:
Sep 2016
Publication Date:
01 Sep 2016
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/0806.44.2016.011
Keywords:
diatomaceous earth; wheat; aphid incidence; laboratory; field; Punjab
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Aphids have acquired the status of major pest in North-western plains of India. A complex of five species infests the wheat in this part of the country. The diatomaceous earth (DE) has the potential to substitute the most widely used method of chemical control. Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of DE either as soil or foliar application for suppression of wheat aphids during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015. The fecundity, adult longevity and total developmental duration of Rhopalosiphum padi decreased with the increasing dosage of soil application of DE in laboratory evaluation. However in field studies, no significant difference in aphid population was observed among different levels of DE application in soil. Foliar application of DE 150 kg/ha and higher dosages significantly reduced aphid population for initial two days but thereafter it had no effect on aphid prevalence. Wheat plant dusted with different dosages of DE did not show any visible injury but the reduction in chlorophyll content was observed in them. Overall, poor field efficacy coupled with loss of chlorophyll and safety issues relating to foliar application of DE proved against its use for control of sucking insect pests.

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Cover Cereal Research Communications
Cereal Research Communications A Quarterly of the Cereal Research Non-Profit Ltd. Company
Print ISSN:
0133-3720
Online ISSN:
1788-9170

 

 

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Cereal Research Communications
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 1973
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 4
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
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Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0133-3720 (Print)
ISSN 1788-9170 (Online)

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