Influence of calcium silicate application on the population of Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on groundnut

Abstract

Field experiments with foliar application of calcium silicate @ 2.0, 3.5 and 5.0 per cent, soil drenching of calcium silicate @ 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 per cent and combination of foliar and soil drenching (@ 2.0% + 20.0%, 3.5% + 15.0% and 5.0% + 10.0%) were evaluated on 20 days old groundnut plant and compared with an untreated check. Application of calcium silicate via foliage and soil simultaneously @ 5 and 10 per cent on 20 days after dibbling of groundnut was effective to reduce the population of leaf miner and their leaflet damage, recording mean population of 5.25 nos. of larvae/10 plants and 16.46 per cent leaflet damage, respectively, while it was 12.25 nos. of larvae/10 plants and 27.95 per cent leaflet damage in untreated control. Reduction in population of leaf miner in groundnut might be due to silica induced plant defensive enzymes, however, the moderate reduction in population of leaf miner pest in groundnut can be well explained due to the high accumulation of silica in groundnut plants.