author(s)
VU Sonalkar

abstract
Thirteen hirsutum and two arboreum cultivars were studied with objectives to know the major nutrient variation in cotton leaves and their association with major sucking pests at Akola. The populations of sucking pests on per three leaves were recorded 45 and 60 days after emergence (DAE). The samples were collected 45 and 60 DAE for plant nutrient estimation. The major nutrients viz., nitrogen phosphorous, potassium were estimated by standard procedure. Highest nitrogen per cent was noted in RCH-2 Bt followed in BNBt, RCH-2; whereas, DHY-286 noted least nitrogen per cent. The utmost of phosphorous was in DHY-286 and minimum per cent phosphorous was in RCH-2 Bt; however, it was not affected significantly within BNBt, Bunny Bt, RCH-2, Bunny, KDCH-9632, NHH-44 Bt and KDCH-9632. The mean potassium ranged from 1.603 to 1.68 and 1.610 to 1.685 per cent, respectively 45 and 60 DAE. The aphids had non-significant correlation with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in cotton leaves. The leafhopper population had significant positive association with nitrogen; whereas, significant negative correlation with phosphorous. The thrips population was significantly and positively correlated with potassium; while, other nutrients had non-significant impact. The whitefly adult population was affected significantly by increased potassium in cotton leaves while the other constituents do not have any significant impact on whitefly population.