Effect of Different Release Rates of Predatory Mite Phytoseius domesticus in the Control of European Red Mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) on Apple in Kashmir

Investigations were undertaken to study the effect of releases of predatory mite, Phytoseius domesticus @ 9, 18 and 27/plant on the population suppression of European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) on apple (cv. Red delicious) in early summer. An individual predatory mite consumed an average of 208.15 eggs and 240,45 motile stages of European red mite during its life cycle on the leaf disc assemblies in the laboratory. The feeding capacity thus proved it to be a good predator. Field studies indicated that the population of P, ulmi significantly declined in release plots as compared to control. It was 37.77 mites/leaf in control and 23.72, 8.83 and 3.84 after 30^th day of release of predatory mites @ 9, 18 and 27, respectively. The population of predatory mites was in the ascending order, being 0.83, 2.43 and 3.99 mites/leaf with the release of 9, 18 and 27 mites/plant, respectively.