Role of Agrometeorological Factors in Regulating the Abundance of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) in District Kupwara, India

The study on Role of agrometeorological factors in regulating the abundance of Brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) in Kupwara revealed that at all the locations of District Kupwara, first adult male moth of Leucinodes orbonalis was trapped during 24 SW. Moth population increased and peaked during 34 SW (4.0 moths/trap), thereafter population declined and reached to zero level during last week of September. Correlation studies between abiotic factors and adult moth catch of Leucinodes orbonalis from three locations of District Kupwara viz Langate, Chowgal and Handwara had positive and significant correlation with minimum temperature (0.469,0.461 and 0.462) but positive and non-significant with maximum temperature (0.406,0.401 and 0.410), rainfall (0.032,0.058 and 0.035), relative humidity evening(0.434,0.418 and 0.421), though negative and non-significant with relative humidity morning (-0.149,-0.123 and -0.166) respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed minimum temperature as major contributor in population buildup of the pest followed by relative humidity (evening) while as relative humidity (morning) had least effect in population buildup of the pest.