IMPACT OF ELEVATED CO2 ON RICE BROWN PLANTHOPPER NILAPARVATA LUGENS (STAL.)

Abstract

Influence of elevated CO 2 (570±25 ppm) on the rice brown plant hopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.) was studied in the Free Air Carbon Enrichment (FACE) facility during rainy season 2013. The BPH appeared on the crop during last week of August (35th Standard Meteorological Week- SMW) that corresponded to 44 days after transplanting (DAT). From 35th to 38th SMW, total BPH population under both elevated and ambient conditions did not differ significantly; however, significantly higher BPH population was recorded from 39th to 44th SMW under elevated CO2. The peak incidence was recorded in the second week of October (42nd SMW) under both the conditions. Significantly higher canopy circumference under elevated condition provided better environmental condition for the BPH multiplication