TESTING ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE IN INDIAN CRESTED PORCUPINE BURROWS AS A PEST MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE IN BANNU, PAKISTAN

Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica)is widely distributed and aserious mammal pest of trees, agricultural crops, orchardsand vegetables in different environments of Pakistan. Trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aluminium phosphide (phostoxin; 3 g tablets) against Indian crested porcupine, in the field conditions of Bannu district of Pakistan. Results reflected that in case of cropland fumigation trials, two tablets of phostoxin were not effective in reduction of porcupine burrow activity in small sized burrows, while 66.7% reduction could be achieved by applying four tablets. A 100% reduction in burrow activity was recorded in case of medium and large sized burrows, where 6 –12 tablets were applied. In the non-cropland area, in case of small sized burrows, two tablets of phostoxin could not be effective in reduction of burrow activity, while in case of four tablets, only, 33.4% reduction could be achieved. Similarly, in case of medium and large sized burrows, 6 –10 tablets were effective in 100% reduction of porcupine burrow activity. It is suggested that aluminum phosphide fumigation is effective in controlling porcupine population in the cropland and non-cropland areas, if the fumigation dose is optimized.