Population Dynamics of Bud Borer, Helicoverpa armigera on Rose and its Management under Protected Condition in Kashmir

Background: Rose cultivation has grown quickly in India in both protected and open-field settings, greatly boosting employment and revenue generation. A major challenge to sustainable rose cultivation under such controlled environments is that these structures inadvertently create favourable conditions for the accumulation and proliferation of insect pests, which can compromise both yield and quality. Aims: Bud borer population and weather data, including temperature (minimum and maximum), minimum relative humidity, and maximum relative humidity, were correlated. The effectiveness of several compounds against bud borer on roses. Study Design: RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) was the method used in the experiment. The polyhouse, which was separated into three equal-sized blocks (14.6 m × 1.52 m), was used to plant the rose variety "Top secret." Eleven subplots, each measuring 1.11 m by 1.52 m, were created from each block. Five plants were cultivated at a suggested spacing of 35 cm by 25 cm in each plot. Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was carried out in the experimental block of the Division of Floriculture & Landscaping Architecture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar campus, Srinagar, from March 2022 to December 2022 under protected conditions. Methodology: Ten rose plants were chosen at random to be observed in a polyhouse setting in order to document the seasonal occurrence of bud borer. Observations were made with a hand lens (10X). One day before the initial spray, the pre-count of bud borer on roses was taken. Post-count observations were made at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days following the spray. Three randomly chosen plants from each treatment were observed. At intervals of 14 days, a second round of spraying was carried out, and the same observations were made. A statistical analysis was performed on the recorded data. Results: The peak bud borer incidence was observed in 29th SMW (0.3 bud borer/plant) at 21.4°C (minimum temperature), 34°C (maximum temperature), 65.5% (minimum RH) and 88% (maximum RH). Based on correlation studies, it was found that bud borer population was highly significantly and positively correlated with temperature (minimum and maximum), non-significantly and negatively correlated with minimum RH while highly significantly and negatively correlated with maximum RH. Regression analysis revealed 50 per cent variation in bud borer population on plants owing to weather parameters. Regarding bud borer, T4 (Fipronil 5% SC @ 1ml/L) proved to be most efficient, followed by T8 (Lecanicillium lecanii @ 5ml/L). Conclusion: The peak incidence of bud borer was observed in July. Use of different newer molecules along with entomopathogens and botanicals and also use of biocontrol agents for the control of bud borer on rose.