Abstract

The present study was undertaken at the farm of Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong, Darjeeling during spring-summer season of 2011 to study the seasonality as well as impact of weather parameters on the infestation of flea beetle (Nisotra chrysomeloides Jacoby) on okra cv. Arka Anamika. The results revealed that flea beetle started to invade the crop in the first week of June (22nd standard week) during the seedling stage of the crop (fifth week after sowing). The pest was active from first week of June to third week of August i. e. from the seedling stage to maturity of the crop. The peak level of population was found during second week of August (32nd standard week) i. e. fifteenth week after sowing (2.43/plant). Significant positive correlation was found between the flea beetle populations with various weather parameters except the maximum temperature. The meteorological parameters exerted immense influence on the infestation of flea beetle. Together all the abiotic factors were responsible for 94% variation in the flea beetle population.