G. KUSHALA*, H. N. RAMESH BABU, N. RAJESHWARI, G. S. CHANDRASHEKAR AND A. S. SHASHI KIRAN
Department of Botany, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Shivmogga-577 451 (Karnataka),
India
*(e-mail : kushi718@gmail.com; Mobile : 99029 71108)
(Received : January 20, 2022; Accepted : February 7, 2022)
ABSTRACT
The storage of potato is a major challenge faced by the farmer due to the infestation of potato tuber
moth (PTM). For management of PTM under storage condition, various treatments were attempted which
included botanicals, biological agent and chemical control method. The methods were repeated during
consecutive year. During 2019, among the different treatments for storage of rabi harvested potato
crops, the per cent PTM damage, larvae/tuber, tunnel/tuber and rotted tuber were significantly lower in
T2–Azadiractha indica leaves by 35, 5, 5 and 14%, respectively; followed by T9–Bacillus thuringiensis (2%) as 41, 6, 6 and 15%, respectively. Treatment T3–Lantana camara leaves showed 44, 7, 7 and 16% damage, respectively. During 2020, per cent PTM damage, larvae/tuber, tunnel/tuber and rotted tuber showed similar trend. Hence, mulching with A. indica leaves, treatment of 2% B. thuringiensis and mulching with
L. camara leaves was found to be effective for post-harvest management of potato tuber moth under storage.
Key words : Potato tuber moth (PTM), percentage of infestation, rabi season