Study of Tritrophic Interaction Between Potato Crop Its Insect Pest and Natural Enemies

Abstract

Good quality food is possible by practicing sustainable agriculture. For this, researchers recognized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a valuable option. newlineThe tuber crops, Solanum tuberosum L. (Potato) is an important food crop of the world. Potato crop is attacked by several insect pests, amidst the lepidopteron pests, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller commonly known as Potato Tuber Moth, is a major pest of this crop. newline Extracts of Kufri Bahar, Kufri Surya and Kufri Chipsona 1 in twophases of growth (vegetative and flowering) and P. operculella adult body wash were prepared and characterized through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Parasitic efficiency noticed for various varieties determined that Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja showed best response in the vegetative stage for variety Kufri Bahar and Kufri Chipsona 1whereas Trichogramma chilonis Ishii was preferred parasitoid for the flowering stage in both the varieties. Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead and newlineTrichogramma brasiliensis Ashmead was influenced by both the phases of growth of newlineKufri surya respectively. C. blackburni showed highest orientation response for both newlinethe phase of Kufri Surya. Volatile compounds released from Kufri Surya in the newlinevegetative stage and Kufri bahar in the flowering stage were able to alter the of newlineorientation behaviour of predator C. carnea. EAG study with three concentrations of seven hydrocarbons indicated that the largest peak amplitudes in female antennae of C. carnea on the application of Tricosane at 100mg/l wheras in case of male antennae of C. carnea, higher response was evoked by Hexadecane at 100mg/l. Study conducted with formulations of Hydrocarbon showed that significant orientation response of T. brasiliensis was towards. Study revealed that regular releases of Trichogrammatids, C. blackburni and C. carnea in combination with suitable volatile cues will be an effective biocontrol practice against lepidopterous pests of Potato crop. Study will be an aid on to bring the relief to mankind and environment. newline newline