Economic importance of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) under Indian scenario, challenges faced in crop protection and a survey on arthropod complex on late season varieties of cauliflower grown in Kapurthala district, Punjab
Abstract
Cauliflower is an important cruciferous vegetable of high nutritive value and vitamin C content and contains compounds of high therapeutic value to fight cancers and to boost immune system. India is the second largest producer and an important exporter of cauliflower, the crop of Mediterranean origin. Cauliflower cultivation in India is challenged by numerous pest and diseases. A survey was conducted in 2018-19 to assess the incidence of pests and natural enemies on different late season cauliflower cultivars viz., namely Plantsman snowball, Pusa snowball K-1, Pusa Snowball K25 and Pusa snowball-1 cultivated in the experimental farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab. The arthropods recorded included pests viz., mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi), Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae), cabbage semilooper (Tricoplusia ni) and red spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). The natural enemy complex included few hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to braconidae, coccinellids viz., Coccinella septumpunctata, Brumoides suturalis, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Micrapis discolour and few syrphids. Plutella xylostella and Lipaphis erysimi were documented to be the major pests of the cauliflower cultivars grown in the experimental farm. Under Indian scenario numerous insecticides of all known classes including newer molecules have been used frequently for controlling cauliflower pests which had imposed heavy selection pressure on pests leading to development of pesticide resistance as well as pest resurgence due to loss of non-target natural enemy complex sharing the agro-ecosystem. In addition, pesticide residues in food cause human health hazards, impact export value and cause serious environmental pollution. Through knowledge on pest biology and ecology can help us find better eco-friendly, viable pest management solutions in harmony with nature to tackle and curb serious environmental issues including climate change and health problems faced by living organisms to sustain life on earth.