author(s)
Avinash TG and Kumar NG

abstract
Experiments were carried out to study the seasonal activity of termites in relation to abiotic factors in different field crops during 2016-18. Termite infestation to baits was maximum in the month of October IF (first fortnight) (46.67 %), October IF and May IIF (43.33%) and December IIF and June IF (43.33 %) in Maize, Sunflower and Finger millet ecosystems, respectively during 2016-17. Infestation to bait was maximum in the month of September IIF (56.67 %) in Maize, August IIF, October IF, March IIF, May IIF and July IIF (36.67 %) in Sunflower and September IIF, October IIF and June IF (43.33%) in Finger millet ecosystem during 2017-18. Correlation analysis of termite activity with abiotic factors in different cropping systems from 2016 to 2018 revealed that, total rain fall (r = 0.708), in situ soil moisture (r = 0.699) and minimum atmospheric temperature (r= 0.425) had a significantly positive correlation with the bait infestation under maize cropping system. Significant, positive correlation was observed between bait damage and total rainfall (r = 0.549), in situ soil moisture (r = 0.472), minimum atmosphere temperature (r = 0.351) and minimum soil temperature (r = 0.290) in Sunflower ecosystem. Termite activity was significant negative correlation with the maximum atmospheric temperature (r = -0.396), maximum soil temperature (r = -0.378), sunshine hours (r = - 0.360), minimum soil temperature (r = - 0.304) and in situ soil temperature (r = -0.299) in finger millet ecosystem.