author(s)
Marabi RS, Das SB and Pandey Vibha

abstract
First appearance of whitefly on soybean was observed on 7 days old crop (DOC) and was available up to 105 DOC. The overall mean population of whitefly recorded was 2.45 adult whiteflies/plant during the Rabi season. Whitefly population attained its first peak on 35 DOC i.e., 5^th SMW and the second peak was observed on 63 DOC i.e., 9^th SMW, whereas third peak was recorded on 91 DOC i.e., 13^th SMW, Correlation studies revealed that the maximum and minimum temperature, morning vapour pressure and evaporation exhibited significant positive association with whitefly population, while wind speed, sunshine hours, evening vapour pressure and rainfall exhibited positive correlation, while morning RH and evening RH expressed negative correlation with whitefly population, but statistically found to be non-significant. Multiple regression analysis with significant weather parameters showed that independent variables were responsible >74% variation in the whitefly population. Path analysis revealed that maximum temperature had highest positive direct effect on whitefly population followed by evening RH, morning RH, wind speed and rainfall, respectively. However, morning vapour pressure had the maximum negative direct effect followed by evening vapour pressure, evaporation, sunshine and minimum temperature on whitefly population, respectively. Higher R² value and low residual effect were obtained from multiple regression with significant independent factors and path analysis, respectively indicated that the weather parameters selected for the study were appropriate and were responsible for almost 78% variation in the whitefly population.