Evaluation of different rodenticidal baits against rodent population in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) crop fields.

The baits used consisted of 2% zinc phosphide and 0.005% bromadiolone. The baitings were carried out at the flowering stage of cucumber crop. Double baiting treatments comprising zinc phosphide and bromadiolone in different combinations resulted in better reduction of rodent population and crop damage. Deployment of different rodenticidal treatments saved yield loss from 7.00 to 11.82q/ha. Thus, accomplishing cost benefit ratio of 1:88 to 1:107. Bromadiolone followed by bromadiolone, the most profitable combination is suggested for control of rodent population in cucumber crop fields.

Effect of abiotic factors on the burrow density of some sympatric field murids.

The burrow density of sympatric murids in relation to various abiotic factors viz· maximum and minimum atmospheric temperatures, relative humidity, soil temperature and soil moisture was studied in the agro-ecosystem of village Kakrod-Jind (Haryana) Analysis of monthly recorded data on burrow density revealed a biomodal pattern i. e. a peak each during the months of September and March· Of these abiotic factors, soil moisture revealed significant positive correlation with the burrow density whereas relative humidity exhibited invariably the least interaction· However, path co-efficient analysis depicted the direct effects of soil temperature and soil moisture and indirect effect of maximum and minimum atmospheric temperature through soil temperature on the burrow density· The use of path co-efficient analysis in such studies has been suggested·