author(s)
Shruthi CR, Narabenchi GB and Devaraju G

abstract
A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of silver colour UV reflective polyethylene mulch on the incidence of thrips under farmer’s field conditions during the month of February, 2014. The field was divided in to two blocks, each block was ten guntas. One block was covered with silver coloured UV reflective polyethylene mulch (30 µ or 120 guage) and another block was maintained without mulch. Results revealed that, significantly lesser level of thrips infestation (1.80 thrips/plant) and watermelon bud necrosis disease incidence (70.00 %) was observed in the case of watermelon block covered with silver colour UV reflective polyethylene mulch as compared to the block without the mulch (6.30 thrips/plant & 94.00 % disease incidence). Thus, it is clear from the present investigation that silver colour UV reflective polyethylene mulch works effectively in reducing thrips population in watermelon.