Vol. 10, Special Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
SK Khinchi, KC Kumawat and DL Bagdi

Abstract:
The experiment was conducted at Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) on blond psyllium, Plantago ovata Forsk., is one of the important medicinal crop grown in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Popularly known as ‘Isabgol’ (Family: Plantaginaceae). Out of about 200 species of psyllium available in various countries, only 10 are found in India. The blond psyllium is severely damaged by the aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) through sucking of the cell sap which weakens the plants. The ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linn. Has prime position among the predatory fauna of sucking insect pests, particularly aphids. The aphids, R. maidis were reared on twenty replicated blond psyllium plants which were covered with muslin cloth and one pair of freshly emerged adult of C. septempunctata was released in each. The different parameters of biotic potential observed, viz., pre mating period varied from 4 to 9 days, mating period 41 to 67 minutes, pre oviposition period 8 to 14 days, oviposition period 11 to 21 days, post oviposition period 4 to 8 days, fecundity 227 to 452/ female, hatchability 70 to 90 per cent, larvae changed to pupae 83.33 to 96.67 per cent and pupae changed to adults 86.67 to 96.33 per cent.