Cotton thrips is the major hindrance to cotton yield in Pakistan since the start of the 20th century. It is a polyphagous
pest that remains active in field all over the year due to the constant availability of alternate host plants. In present
study, six cotton varieties (FH-142, BS-15, FH-598, MNH-992, IUB-13 and NIA-NOORI) were evaluated for seasonal
population dynamics of thrips under natural prevailing conditions. All the entities exhibited a varying population of
thrips during the period of study and no entity was completely immune from thrips infestation during the experiment
duration. Thrips infestation started increasing in the 4th week of June and exceeds the threshold level (8-10 adult or
nymph per leaf) during July. The month of July was found most favorable for thrips and peak abundance was recorded.
Among all the varieties, NIA- NOORI showed the lowest mean population of thrips (3.64/leaf) while MNH-992
harbored highest population (4.46/leaf). Correlation matrix revealed that population of thrips correlated positively with
minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and sunshine but negative association was observed with relative
humidity. These outcomes are helpful for appropriate management of thrips considering its population dynamics during
the period of crop.
Muhammad Usman Asi, Raza Muhammad, Muhammad Hamayoon Khan, Mubasshir Sohail, Muhammad Awais. (2020) INCIDENCE AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THRIPS (THRIPS TABACI) ON DIFFERENT COTTON VARIETIES IN TANDOJAM, SINDH, PAKISTAN, , Volume 17, Issue 4.