Studies on Seasonal Incidence of Sorghum Shoot Fly, (Atherigona soccata Rondani)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi cropping season of 2001-02 to characterize relationship of various meteorological parameters with sorghum shoot fly incidence. The serial sowing technique was used starting from 36th meteorological week to 44th meteorological week. Maximum per cent dead hearts on 14 days after emergence were recorded during 36th meteorological week (45%) when prevailing maximum, minimum temperature and morning and evening relative humidity were 33.1oC,22.1oC, 77.5 and 58.5%, respectively. Maximum per cent dead hearts on 28 days after emergence were recorded during 36th meteorological week (78.8%) when prevailing maximum, minimum temperature and morning and evening relative humidity were 32.7oC,22.1oC, 78.7 and 54.7%, respectively. The shoot fly incidence in the form of dead hearts was correlated with the meteorological parameters corresponding to the period of observations. The population dynamics showed significant positive correlation with meteorological parameters studied while dead hearts formation was not correlated.