Incidence of pepper pollu beetle in major black pepper growing agro ecological units of Kasaragod district

Abstract

An investigation entitled ‘Incidence of pepper pollu beetle in major black pepper growing agro ecological units of Kasaragod district’ was conducted during September to November of 2023 to evaluate the infestation of pollu beetle in two agroecological units viz., northern laterites (AEU-11) and high hills (AEU-15). Seven gardens from AEU-11, namely Madikkai, Cheemeni, Badiyadka, Kodom-Bellur, Chengala, Madhur and Periya were chosen. Three gardens were selected from AEU-15, which include East Eleri, Malom and Kallar. Panniyur-1 variety was selected for the study. In AEU-11, Chengala recorded the highest population of pollu beetle adults, whereas Periya, Cheemeni and Badiyadka had the lowest counts. Chengala experienced maximum intensity of leaf and spike damage, whereas Cheemeni and Madikkai had the lowest. Madhur reported the highest larval population and Badiyadka being the lowest. Spike fall was intense in Chengala and lowest in Cheemeni. Berry damage was most severe in Chengala and least in Badiyadka among the locations surveyed. In AEU-15, Kallar recorded the highest adult beetle population, spike damage, spike fall, larval population and berry damage. Conversely, East Eleri witnessed the most intense leaf damage. Malom experienced the lowest damage among all the observed parameters. There was no significant difference between the two agro ecological units when adult beetle population, leaf damage, spike damage, larval population and berry damage were considered. There was significantly high difference between spike fall in AEU-15 when compared to AEU-11. Correlation analysis revealed that pollu beetle adult population (0.53), larval population (0.64) and berry damage (0.57) exhibited the strong positive correlation with shade level of the field. Spike fall, leaf damage and spike damage also correlated positively, although all correlations are statistically non-significant.