Studies on Seasonal Incidence and Correlation of Tomato Aphids, Aphis gossypii (Glover) in Konkan Region

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2021-2022 and Rabi 2022-23 to ascertain the influence of various meteorological parameters on population fluctuations of Aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover on tomato at Central Experiment Station, Wakawali, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli. The population of aphids ranged from 0.25 to 4.50 and 0.20 to 4.66 per three leaves per plant during rabi 2021-22 and rabi 2022-23, respectively. During the rabi season of 2021-22, the peak population of aphids was recorded during the 6th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), whereas in the rabi season of 2022-23, the peak population was observed during the 7th SMW. However, pooled data on both years revealed that the aphid population was in the range of 0.23 to 4.30 per three leaves per plant, whereas peak population was observed during 7th SMW. During rabi 2021-22 the minimum temperature (r=-0.560*) recorded negative significant correlation with mean population of aphids. Other parameters were non-significantly correlated with aphid population. During rabi 2021-22 the aphid population had positive highly significant correlation with bright sunshine hours (r=0.710**) and wind speed (r=0.623**), whereas negative significant correlation with minimum temperature (r=-0.482*) and evening relative humidity(r=-0.737**). Remaining parameters were non-significantly correlated with aphid population.