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Widespread infestation of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) on Bt cotton in Central India: a new threat and concerns for cotton production

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Abstract

The pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saundars) (Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) has recently emerged as a serious menace on Bt cotton in India. Extensive roving surveys were conducted in 83 locations spread across 16 major cotton growing districts of Maharashtra State, India to assess the level of pink bollworm infestation in Bt cotton. The dynamics and severity of pink bollworm damage during the different stages of boll development (90–130 days of crop age) were assessed based on random sampling of green bolls, opened bolls and picked bolls per plant and number of locules damaged per boll. Survey results revealed a widespread infestation of pink bollworm on Bt cotton across the surveyed sites in a range of 40–95% which accounts for anticipated yield losses between 20 and 30%. A typical pattern of progressive increase in the level of pink bollworm infestation and intensification of locular damage with the advancement of the crop season was observed. The pink bollworm hitherto was supposed to be under control since the introduction of Bt cotton in India, now it appears to be widespread, especially on Bt cotton throughout the cotton growing areas of Maharashtra State which shares approximately 36% and 25% of the country’s cotton area and production, respectively. This article discusses the implications of serious outbreak of pink bollworm infestations in Bt cotton and also suggest measures necessary to mitigate its potential threat to Indian cotton production. The modulation of management practices aimed at manipulation of cotton cropping pattern being followed in the country in general and Maharashtra in particular could strengthen the management of pink bollworm populations effectively. We discuss the practicality of several management options aimed at achieving this goal.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the ‘Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project” (CROPSAP), sponsored by Agriculture Department, Government of Maharashtra (India). The authors gratefully acknowledge the Head, Division of Crop Protection and the Director of ICAR-CICR, Nagpur for institutional support in execution of the present work. The authors are also thankful to Dr. P. Shashank, Scientist (Entomology) from Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for his valuable insect identification service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440 010, India

    Babasaheb B. Fand, V. S. Nagrare, S. P. Gawande, D. T. Nagrale, B. V. Naikwadi, Vrushali Deshmukh, Nandini Gokte-Narkhedkar & V. N. Waghmare

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  1. Babasaheb B. Fand
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  2. V. S. Nagrare
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  3. S. P. Gawande
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  4. D. T. Nagrale
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  5. B. V. Naikwadi
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  6. Vrushali Deshmukh
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  7. Nandini Gokte-Narkhedkar
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  8. V. N. Waghmare
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Contributions

BBF, VSN, NGN and VNW conceived and designed the research plan. BBF, VSN, SPG, DTN, BVN and VD conducted the surveys and collected data on PBW infestation. BVN and VD reared the insect in laboratory for identification of all the life stages. SPG and DTN carried out DNA barcoding for molecular identification of PBW. BVN and VD compiled the data. BBF and VSN analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. All authors edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Babasaheb B. Fand.

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Highlights

• Widespread infestation of pink bollworm in Bt cotton ranging between 40 – 95 % accounting for estimated yield losses to the tune of 20 – 30 % have been reported from 16 major cotton growing districts of Maharashtra, a leading cotton producing state of Central India.

• The intensification of boll infestation and locular damage with the advancement of the crop season was observed.

• The pink bollworm has resumed its pestilence against Bt cotton, which has serious ecological and economic implications for country’s cotton production.

• The integrated measures for restoring susceptibility in pink bollworm and ensuring viability of Bt cotton technology have been suggested to mitigate its potential threat to cotton production.

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Fand, B.B., Nagrare, V.S., Gawande, S.P. et al. Widespread infestation of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) on Bt cotton in Central India: a new threat and concerns for cotton production. Phytoparasitica 47, 313–325 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-019-00738-x

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