Assessment of yield losses due to Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) in kharif mungbean in Punjab.

Experiments were undertaken to estimate the yield losses due to Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) in kharif mungbean at Pulses Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bahowal, Hoshiarpur during kharif 2022. The yield losses were estimated using insect-infestation and chemical protection method in the recommended variety of mungbean, ML 1808. In insect-infestation method, at both the locations, the mean number of webs produced per plant after 5 days of insect infestation during first release and second release and pod damage were significantly lower in the infested treatment in comparison to the uninfested treatment. The yield losses were determined to be 21.93 per cent and 21.56 per cent at Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, respectively using this method. The outcome of chemical protection method at both the locations revealed that the mean number of larvae and webs per plant in the protected plots were significantly lower than unprotected plots after three and five days of two insecticide sprays. Pod damage was significantly higher in the unprotected plots than protected plots at both the locations. The yield losses were determined to be 21.30 per cent and 21.91 per cent in Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, respectively using chemical protection method. Such estimated yield losses can ultimately be linked to the production factors to identify opportunities for remedial actions that farmers can implement to reduce losses. This study's experimental methods could be used to evaluate yield losses in other crops as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]