Damage and hoarding by rodents and their control in standing wheat in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Rodents damaged 6.32–8.15% wheat tillers in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, viz. Kangra, Sirmour and Solan. Maximum damage was recorded when the crop was at maturity stage. Lesser bandicoot rats hoarded 0.486 kg ear‐heads per burrow system on an average. Two treatments of 2.5% zinc phosphide at 45 days interval significantly reduced the damage from 7.16% to 1.25% in the experimental fields, thereby increasing the yield of grains by 56 kg/ha. A net gain of Rs.105.88 per hectare with cost‐benefit ratio of 1:18.3 was achieved.

Keywords:

• Rodent damage
• hoarding
• control
• Bandicota bengalensis
• Mus spp.