Seasonal Incidence of Thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) in Relation to Weather Parameters

Field experiments were conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 at the Central Experiment Station, Wakawali, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, to study the seasonal incidence of thrips (Thrips tabaci) in tomato (Konkan Vijay) and their relationship with meteorological parameters. The thrips population ranged from 0.08 to 6.67 per three leaves per plant in Rabi 2021–2022 and from 0.06 to 6.52 per three leaves per plant in Rabi 2022–2023, with peak infestations occurring in the 10th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) in both years. Pooled data indicated a population range of 0.07 to 6.60 per three leaves per plant, with the peak consistently in the 10th SMW. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative relationships between thrips population and morning relative humidity (r = -0.621**) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.754**) in Rabi 2021–2022, and significant positive relationships with maximum temperature (r = 0.676**), evaporation (r = 0.925**), and wind speed (r = 0.885**). Similar trends were observed in Rabi 2022–2023, with additional positive correlations for bright sunshine hours (r = 0.525*). Weather parameters explained 98% and 95% of the variation in thrips population during Rabi 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, respectively, emphasizing their significant impact on thrips population dynamics in tomato crops.