Population Trend of Sugarcane Leafhopper Pyrilla perpusilla on Different Sugarcane Varieties with Biotic and Abiotic Factors.

Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) is one of the devastating pests which decrease yield directly and indirectly of sugarcane crop. For the safe management of P. perpusilla, field experiments were conducted to find the population of Pyrilla perpusilla on 12 different sugarcane varieties under field conditions at two different districts Charsadda and district Dera Ismail Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Plot size 36×16 m (length × width) was selected in both localities for the cultivation of sugarcane varieties (CP77/400, Jhang 59, 2086, US-633, YT-55, CPF-252, CPF-246, CPF-251, CPF-247, CPF-250, CPF-248, and CPF-249) in Feb 2020. Each variety was planted in sub-plot size 3×2 meters having 3 rows and 5plants/row in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The data was recorded from Mar-Nov from fresh and ratoon crops of the year 2020 and 2021, respectively. The leaves (top, middle, and bottom) of five plants in each subplot was observed randomly for data collection every fortnight in all replications. The total mean population of Pyrilla perpusilla (eggs cluster and nymphs/adults) was recorded from the leaves of the plants. The experimental results were of the view that could be used to conclude the research that the different varieties have different behaviour towards hosting the P. perpusilla. The population Pyrilla perpusilla (eggs clusters and nymphs/adults) were found highest on CPF-252 while least population of P. perpusilla was recorded on CPF-249 in both location and both years of the study (2020-2021) with its peak activity in the month of August. Significantly, positive correlation was recorded between P. perpusilla (eggs clusters and nymphs/adults) population infestation and average abiotic factors (temperature, humidity and rainfall). The correlation between leaf length and leaf width with P. perpusilla (eggs clusters and nymphs/adults) was significantly positive, the correlation of P. perpusilla (eggs clusters and nymphs/adults) with cane length was non-significant but positive while negative non-significant correlation was found between P. perpusilla (eggs clusters and nymphs/adults) population and cane diameter. The population of P. perpusilla on sugarcane variety CPF-249 was comparatively less which can be combine in future IPM programmes for the suppression of P. perpusilla infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]