Study of epidemiology of pvy and plrv in relation to vector population under field condition

Abstract

Abstract : The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature and relative humidity on distribution of insect vectors that spread two major viruses (PVY and PLRV) of potato under natural field condition during 2007-08 and 2008-09 at research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur. Prevailing temperature and relative humidity had significant influence on build up of two major vectors (Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypif) that were responsible for spreading PVY and PLRV. The relationship between vector population buildup and temperature was found to be positively correlated whereas the relationship was negative with relative humidity; though the relationship was not found significant in 2007-08. It indicates the aphid populations increase with the increase of temperature and with the decrease of relative humidity. The lowest number of aphids was counted during fourth week of November to second week of January after that aphid population increase gradually up to first week of March. For obtaining healthy seed potato, early planting with haulm pulling was the best technique to minimize the PVY and PLRV infection.