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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
The aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) are one of major pests of agriculturally important crops, including vegetables, across the world. They suck plant sap, cause leaf curling, yellowing and stunted growth of the host plants. They also act as vectors of many viral diseases in plants. In order to explore aphid pests and their naturally occurring bio-control agents (parasitoids and predators), an extensive field survey was conducted in different vegetable ecosystems of the Kashmir valley during the years from 2014-2019. Moreover, a through literature survey pertaining to aphids, reported from Jammu and Kashmir, was also done. Accordingly, based on these studies, it was concluded that as many as 18 species of aphids belonging to 12 genera infest as many as 26 species and 30 varieties of vegetable crops in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It was also concluded that at least 29 species of insect predators and 17 species of parasitoids occur naturally to suppress these aphid pest species in vegetable ecosystems in J&K. In sum, through this study, a comprehensive account of aphids and their natural enemies with reference to vegetable crops in J&K is presented. This work will be useful for the studies concerning the devising of strategies for Integrated Control Program of aphids, especially through utilization of natural bio-control agents.