Impact of Protective Measures on Mealybug and Red Cotton Bug Incidence in Bt Cotton Hybrids

The study investigated the influence of mealybug and red cotton bug populations on different cotton hybrids under protected and unprotected conditions. The results revealed that under protected conditions, the mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis population was significantly lower (0.23/plant) compared to unprotected conditions (1.14/plant). Among the hybrids, G. Cot. Hy. 10 BG II (0.35/plant) and Ajeet 155 BG II (0.40/plant) showed the lowest mealybug populations, while RCH 2 BG II recorded the highest (1.19/plant). Significant differences were observed in the interaction between protection levels and hybrids with lower pest populations recorded under protected conditions. Similarly, for the red cotton bug, the population was significantly lower under protected conditions (0.23/plant) compared to unprotected (0.87/plant). G.Cot.Hy.10 BG II showed the lowest red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus population (0.24/plant), while RCH 2 BG II had the highest population under unprotected conditions (1.24/plant). Significant differences were found in the interaction of protection levels, hybrids, and periods with protected conditions consistently showing lower pest incidences.