Different tillage methods i.e. zero tillage, natural farming, reduced tillage and conventional tillage in combination with 3 rice varieties, viz. Sukara Dhan 1 (HPR 1156), Him Palam Dhan 1 (HPR 2656) and Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 (HPR 2795) were evaluated in terms of growth, yield attributes and yield of direct seeded rice at research farm of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh during rainy (kharif) season of 2020 and 2021. The experiment, was laid out in split plot design with tillage options in main plot and cultivars in subplot and replicated thrice. Findings exhibits that the, conventional tillage recorded significantly higher grain, straw and biological yield followed by reduced tillage and zero tillage while significantly lower values of all these traits were observed in natural farming during both the years of experimentation. Significantly greater and lower yields recorded in conventional tillage and natural farming treatments were due to the significantly higher and lower values of different yield attributes including number of panicles/m2, number of grains/panicle, grain weight/panicle and 1000-grain weight, observed in the respective treatments. From the present investigation it can be concluded that conventional tillage resulted in higher yield attributes and yield as compared to natural farming while lower values of yield attributes and yield were recorded under natural farming. Among different rice cultivars Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 was found superior than Sukara Dhan 1 and Him Palam Dhan 1.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of most effective trap among two types of sticky traps of, i.e., card or tray of two colours (yellow and blue) and their placement height within wheat crop for catching alate of R. maidis, the most abundant aphid species in selected locations. Methodology: Sticky card and tray traps of two colours; yellow and blue were placed at different heights within wheat crop and the effects of trap parameters (type, colour and height) were evaluated to determine the trapping efficiency of R. maidis alate. The traps were installed at two heights above ground level; 100 cm and 150 cm at Karnal and Ludhiana and at 60 cm and 120 cm above ground level at Niphad location. Alate aphid counts were recorded weekly to make comparisons. Results: The highest number of R. maidis alate were caught on yellow coloured sticky card traps placed within the crop canopy at 100 cm height above ground and the lowest on blue coloured sticky tray traps at 150 cm height above ground at Ludhiana and Karnal. At Niphad, the highest population was caught on yellow coloured sticky card traps placed at 60 cm height above ground and the lowest number on blue coloured sticky tray traps at 120 cm height above ground. Correlation analysis revealed that all three trap parameters (trap type, colour and placement height) were correlated with mean alate trap catches. Backward stepwise regression modelling indicated that trap type and placement height had a maximum influence on the R. maidis alate trapping. Interpretation: This study indicated that the yellow sticky card traps were most effective in catching R. maidis alate as compared to other tested traps. Key words: Aphids, Insect sampling, Trapping efficiency, Trap parameters, Triticum aestivum

Aim: Forecasting the incidence and severity of aphids, the major insect pest of wheat, is expected to significantly help in their management. In the present study, a set of weather-based models were developed to predict the timing and severity of Rhopalosiphum maidis infestation at Ludhiana falling under the North Western Plain Zone and R. padi at Niphad in the Peninsular Zone of India. Methodology: The weather indices-based regression models for two locations, Ludhiana and Niphad, were developed using the aphid population and weather data gathered over eight years (2006–14), and the models' predictive accuracy was successfully tested over four additional years (2014-18). The developed statistical models were transformed into three-tier architecture, web-based system, i.e. Presentation, application and data tier for dissemination of information. Results: The developed models can predict the crop’s age - when aphids first colonize the plants, when the aphid population attains the peak and the information about the peak intensity of the aphid population. For predicting the crop’s age at which population peaked at Ludhiana, the weighted interaction of the relative humidity (RH) in the evening and the number of hours of sunshine (NHS) along with the weighted interaction of minimum temperature and RH (morning) were important parameters while, at Niphad, the weighted NHS and the interaction of RH (morning and evening) were important. Likewise, for predicting the maximum aphid population at Ludhiana, the weighted interaction of minimum temperature and RH (morning) were important, while at Niphad, the key parameters were the weighted interaction of RH (evening) with the NHS. Interpretation: A prototype system developed to forecast the location-specific (Ludhiana and Niphad) infestation of wheat crops by aphids is expected to facilitate aphid management through an accurate forewarning at the locations.

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