Frequency of Aphid (Aphis Gossypii G.) on Brinjal (Solanum Melongena L.) and Farming Practices in the Agroclimatic Conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan

The size of Aphis gossypii population in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) crop field was assessed using a randomised complete block design in the Rabi crop season (2009–10) at Ghulam Muhammad Abad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. The maximum aphid population was recorded in February. In this study we observed that aphid population started decreasing with time as the environmental temperature increased. Abiotic conditions played an important role and significantly affected the reduction in the number of aphids. Environmental variables, such as the maximum and minimum temperature, had significant negative effects, whereas relative humidity had a significant positive effect, precipitation had a non-significant negative effect on the Aphis gossypii population. Farming practices indicated that different plant protection strategies were adopted, which mainly involved the excessive application of pesticides. Given the frequency of aphids on brinjal crops and farming practices, there is a need to develop a crop protection package based on modern integrated pest management practices.