Efficiency of <I>Endaphis aphidimyza</I> (Shivpuje and Raodeo) (Cecidomyiidae: Diptera) against Aphids on Growth Attributes and Yields of Safflower

Manoj Kumar; Ramesh Chandra

doi:10.18311/jbc/2012/3513

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Authors

Manoj Kumar
Department of Biological Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalay, Chitrakoot, 485780, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh ,IN
Ramesh Chandra
Department of Biological Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalay, Chitrakoot, 485780, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/2012/3513

Keywords:

Endoparasitoid, Cecidomyiid, Carthamus tinctorious, Growth Attributes and Yield.

Abstract

Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L. is an important oil-seed crop of Marathwada region of Maharashtra containing 78% linoleic acid, which is reported to reduce cholesterol level in the blood. This crop is being heavily infested by safflower aphids, Uroleucon sonchi (L.), Uroleucon compositae (Theo.) and Uroleucon gobonis (Mat.). Endaphis aphidimyza (Shivpuje and Raodeo) is an endoparasitoid of Uroleucon spp. on safflower. The larvae feed by sucking body content of host and completes their all-larval instars. The present work was carried out in Agricultural Research Farm of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya (MGCGV), Chitrakoot, District Satna (MP) during rabi season of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Safflower cultivar PBNS-40 was sown in random block design, different parameters of plant growth and yield were recorded. Release of 694444 number of females per ha recorded good plant height, primary and secondary branches, yield, seed weight, and highest number of seeds per capitulum at the aphid population of below 50 per plant.