S. RAMESH BABU, K.S. RUPAWAT AND PRASHANT P. JAMBHULKAR

An experiment was conducted during rabi 2007 and 2008 at the ARS, Banswara to predict the peak populations of male moths of Helicoverpa armigera using pheromone trap and to initiate proper control measures in time. Maximum peaks were observed during 8th and 9th standard meteorological weeks during 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively. Maximum temperature, morning relative humidity and sunshine hrs had positive correlation with male moth catches during 2007-08. Negative association was observed between minimum temperature, evening relative humidity, wind speed and pheromone male adult trap catches of H. armigera. During 2008-09, maximum temperature and evening relative humidity had significantpositive and negative correlation with male moth catches, respectively. All other weather parameters were negativelyassociated with male moth catches in pheromone trap. The coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.8808 indicating 88.08per cent variations in male moth catches of H. armigera in chickpea crop due to various weather factors during 2007-08. This study may be useful for forecasting of pod borer, H. armigera in chickpea crop.