Effect of date of planting on pest and leaf curl virus incidence on Bell Pepper (Capsicum annum var grossum Sendt.) in the Bengal Basin

Abstract

The effect of three dates of planting viz 1st November, 15th November and 30th November on pest and leaf curl virus incidence of bell pepper var Indra was studied in a farmer’s field at North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal for two consecutive seasons (2015-16 & 2016-17). The five insects pest namely thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood), aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover. and Myzus persicae Sulzer), whitefly(Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), yellow mite(Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) and fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) were recorded. Crop planted on 30th November showed highest average population of thrips (1.24/5 leaves), aphids (2.09/5 shoots), whitefly (2.57/5 leaves), fruit borers (0.97/plant) and chilli leaf curl virus incidence (34.58% ) but lowest average population of yellow mite (0.42/5 leaves) and damage of plant due to mite(15.59%).Crop planted on 1st November exhibited lowest population of thrips (0.57/5 leaves), aphids (1.20/5 shoots), whitefly (2.17/5 leaves) and fruit borers (0.54/plant) and chilli leaf curl virus incidence(23.76%) except yellow mite (0.77/5 leaves). Pest and leaf curl virus incidence was moderate on 15th November planted crop. Crop planted on 1st November gave highest yield of marketable fruits (18.3t/ha) followed by 15th November (15.2 t/ha) and 30th November (13.3t/ha) planted crop. Planting of bell pepper should be completed within 1st week of November in Southern district of Bengal basin with proper protective measure against yellow mite during seedling and early vegetative growth stage.