Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

The effect of three dates of planting viz. 1^st December, 1^st January and 1^st February on pest and viral diseases incidence of bell pepper variety Arka Mohini was studied in an experimental field at West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh for two consecutive seasons (2020-21 & 2021-22). The five insect pests 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) and viral diseases like chilli leaf curl and capsicum chlorosis were recorded.

Crop planted on 1^st December 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), capsicum chlorosis virus incidence (18.67%) 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 1^st January exhibited moderate population of thrips (0.76/5 leaves), aphids (1.44/5 shoots), whitefly (2.33/5 leaves) and fruit borers (0.73/plant), capsicum chlorosis virus incidence (10.92%) and chilli leaf curl virus incidence (26.70%) except yellow mite (0.71/5 leaves). Pest and virus incidence was lowest on 1^st February planted crop. Crop planted on 1^st February gave highest yield of marketable fruits (18.3t/ha) followed by 1^st January (15.2 t/ha) and 1^st December (13.3t/ha) planted crop.