istribution of 0 en

in In •culture

Shakunthala Sridhara
(University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore-560 065)
and
R. S. Tripathi
(Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur·342 003)

Network Coordinating Unit

All (ndia Network Project on Rodent Control
Central Arid ZOlle Research Institute, Jodhpur - 342 003
Technical Bulfetin No. : 13

Network Coordinating Unit

All India Network Project on Rodent Control
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

Published by :
Network Coordinator
(For fndian Councif of Agricultural Researchl
All India Network Project on Rodent Control
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

2005

Printed by :
Evergreen Printers
14-C, Heavy Industrial Area, Jodhpur
 Tel.: 91-11-23382257 (0)
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E-mail: opd.icar@nic.in

INDIAN COUNCil OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Krishi ~havan, New Delhi-110 001

Foreword
Rodents am the most successful and abundant mammalian group on earth probably next to
man and share human and animal habitat and food. These tiny vertebrates maintain a fairly high
population levels in agricultural and household situation in the Indian subcontinent where rodent
damage to standing crops ranges somewhere between 5-15 %. This figure may be much more if
their devastating potential in indoor situation, like houses, godowns, ports etc. is included. Their
role in spread of several deadly diseases is well known. During the recent plague epidemic in
Gujarat, about 4000 persons suffered its infection with about 100 deaths. The Indian Council of
Agricultural Research sponsored All India Coordinated Research Project on Rodent Control is engaged
in studies on eco-biology and management of pest rodents. The Projects has made steady progress
in research and extension on these aspects in different agro-ecological zones of the country.

For evolving an integrated approach to rodent pest management, knowledge about the target
species, its distribution and pestilence is the first and foremost requirement. Moreover only about
a dozen species, out of 128 species occuring in India are regarded as pests in Indian Agriculture.
I am happy 1r learn that the scientists of the ANIP on Rodent Control have generated voluminous
data on this aspect for different agroclimatic regions of the country. The present book is an
excellent attempt to compile and collate the information on major rodent pests, their distribution
and nature and extent of damage generated for various regions at one place. The distributional
aspects of rodent pests covers details in terms of agro-climatic zone, cropping system, habitat
range form subterranean to arboreal and extent of crop damage. I am sure, this publication will be
of immense help to the rodentologists, policy makers, development officials and extension workers
alike.

I congratulate the authors for this timely publication.

New Delhi (O.P. Dubey)

Dated the 30 May, 2005 Asstt. Director General (Ppj
 PREFACE
It is a fact beyond dispute that a detailed knowledge of the biology, behavioural ecology and
distribution pattern of a pest species is vital for its successful management. It is fairly easy to
observe and record the distribution of insect pest/pest complexes in relation to host crop/s because
of two major factors mainly their diurnal life style and short life cycles. Amongst conventional
mammalian pests, rodents rank first by virtue of the colossal damages they inflict on almost all
cultivated crops at some stage or the other, not to mention about their role in disease transmission
and material damage In spite of the historically devastating role they played in the frequent outbreaks
of plague in the nineteenth and earlier twentieth century, their well known, acknowledged and
accepted depredation on standing crops and stored food, knowledge about the pest status and
distribution of rodents in India was awfully poor till early 1960. The lacuna was redeemed to some
extent by exhaustive work by Dr. Ishwar Prakash in Rajasthan, Dr. P. J. Deoras in Maharashtra,
Dr. S.K. Majumdar and M.K. Krishnakumari at Mysore. Rodent ecology became a serious subject
of study from an agricultural point of view only from mid 1960s and early 70s with intense research
and extension work taken up by Spillet and Frantz in Calcutta godowns, Chaturvedi and his colleagues
in villages around Sidhpur, Gujarat and Dr. A.S. Srivastava and his group in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The major thq.Jst for agricultural rodentology came with the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India supporting three location specific research on rodents at Bangalore,
Punjab and Rajasthan in 1977. The very next year, Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched
the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rodent Control at the above three centres and in
Kerala (plantation crops) at Kasaragod which was later extended to Andhra Pradesh (1986, Irrigated
paddy), Madhya Pradesh (1983, gram and soybean), Uttar Pradesh (1983, Sugarcane-wheat-
mustard), Gujarat (1987, Groundnut), NEH region (1982, paddy-maize-pineapple) and Himachal
Pradesh (1987, Horticultural crops). The major thrust of the Project was to generate knowledge on
rodent species, damage caused and management strategies 'for major crops/cropping systems in
the country.

During the past two decades enormous data has been generated on rodent pests of agriculture
leading to standard, practical, workable technology to control rodents across the country. With
these inputs rodentology received a boost leading to publication of "Rodent Pest Management
(Prakash & Mathur, 1987)" and "Rodents in Indian Agriculture (Prakash & Ghosh, 1992)", the
former a "generalist" book and the later a "specialist" one on the subject. Together theseyolumes
provided up-to-date information on major areas of rodent management in the country. The present
compendium is more specialized, compiling data on rodent species diversity and abundance in
different agro climatic conditions of diverse cropping patterns of the country and estimated losses,
a much overlooked area of publication. It is only when facts and figures of losses-both qualitative
and quantitative, are projected that public and policy makers will realize the gravity of rodent
problem. The next step is which speci~s is the culprit, where and when. Based on this the "HOW"
of the management can be planned effectively. The aim of this book is just that.
 The genesis of such an idea and the encouragement to bring out such a publication lies in
Dr.O.P.Dubey, Assistant Director General (Plant Protection), Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
New Delhi, who sat through the biannual workshops of AICRP on Rodent Control all through these
years and gave a new perspective to ongoing research. But for his fortitude and futuristic vision
this monographic compilation would never have been conceived. We extend our deep sense of
gratitude and thanks to Dr. Dubey for providing ~ncouragement and writing the foreword of this
monograph.

We are extremly grateful to Indian council of Agricultural Recearch, New Dehli and Director,
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur for providing financial assistance and adminstrative
approval and other necessary facilities for publication of this Monograph.

The principal investigators of the Project in different centres and other re>dentologists across
the country have contributed immensely by providing all the needed information and patiently put
up with our endless enquiries and persistent demands. They all deserve r:lore than our gratitude.
We sincerely thank them, specially Drs.V.R. Parshad (PAU Ludhiana)' B.C.Dutta (AAU Jorhat),
S.M. Zaheeruddin (ANGRAU, Maruteru), P. G. Butani & H.J. Vyas (GAU Junagadh), K.N. Ponnamma
(CPCRI Kasaragod), K.C.Sharma, (Dr. YSPUH&F, Solan), N.S.Azad Thakur and A.N.Shylesha (ICAR
Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani Meghalaya), D.C.Srivastava (IISR, Lucknow), P.
Neelanarayanall (AVC College, Mayiladuthurai), R.N.Bannerjee (ZSI, Kolkata), Reena Chakraborty
(ZSI, Kolkatta)

Our colleagues Mr. V.Shivayya, T.Raveendra Babu, A.Ravishankar, A.C.Shivaji, Ramaiah,

Rajanna and Munivenkataramanappa of UAS, Bangalore and Dr. Vipin Chaudhary of CAZRI, Jodhpur
have been of tremendous help during the preparation of this monograph by providing library inputs,
proof corrections, computer settings, administrative help etc. Ms. Archana S. Shet patiently and
deligently sat day and night to complete this compilation as per schedule. We owe a lot to her
impeccable computer assistance, inexhaustible patience and genuine .interest in the preparation of
this compendium.

Shakunthala Sridhara
R.S. Tripathi
 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 1-3

2. MAJOR RODENT PESTS OF INDIA 4-23

Funambulus pennanti 4
Funambulus palmarum 4
Funambulus tristriatus 5
Hystrix indica 6
Tatera indica 7
Meriones hurrianae 8
Gerbil/us g/eado wi 9
Nesokia indica 9
Rattus rattus brunneusculus 10
Millardia meltada 11
Rattus nitidus 12
Rattus rattus wroughtoni 12
Rattus norvegicus 12
Golunda ellioti 13
Mus musculus 13
Mus platythrix 13
Musbooduga 14
Rattus rattus 14
Bandicota bengalensis 15
Bandicota indica 16

3. ST A TEWISE DISTRIBUTION OF RODENTS 25-117

Andhra Pradesh 25
Assam 32
Gujarat 37
Himachal Pradesh 47
Karnataka 57
Kerala 76
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh 84
North-Eastern Hill States 92
Punjab 100
Rajasthan 108

4. OVERVIEW OF RODENT SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND DAMAGE 118-128

5. REFERENCES 129-136
 INTRODUCTION
Modern agriculture requires authentic and detailed information on various
agroclimatic parameters like soil types, rainfall, temperature, water resources etc.
for optimum cultivation. Planning commission of India (Khanna, 1989) has
categorized 15 resource development regions in the country, 14 in the mainland
and one in the islands of Bay of Bengal (Andaman & Nicobar islands) and in the
Arabian Sea (Lakshadweep islands) (Fig.1 ).The regions are:

1 . Western Himalayan Region 9. Western Plateau and Hills Region

2. Eastern Himalayan Region 10. Southern Plateau and Hills Region
3. Lower Gangetic Plain Region I 1 . East Coast Plains and Hill Region
4. Middle Gangetic Plain Region 12. West Coast Plains and Ghats Region
5. Upper Gangetic Plain Region 13. Gujarat Plains and Hill Region
6. Trans Gangetic Plain Region 14. Western Dry Region
7. Eastern Plateau and Hills Region 15. Island Region
8. Central Plateau and Hills Region
In its attempt to regionalize Indian agricultural economy the Planning
Commission has tried to integrate developmental plans of the agroclimatic regions
with similar plans of State and Nation. The ultimate goal is to strategise cultivation
practices for the fifteen agroclimatic regions so as to develop policies for faster
agricultural development at regional level.

In the agro climatic regional planning further sub-regionalization on the basis

of specific agro-ecological parameters was considered. These sub zones were
delineated on the basis of soil, topography, climate and water reSOUI"ces. The
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi initiated National Agricultural
Research Project (NARP) in different agro climatic zones of India in 1979. The
primary objective of this Project was to conduct need based, location specific
research in each agroclimatic zone with a zonal research station as the focal point
of research. Based on the analysis of agro-ecological conditions and existing
cropping patterns it was planned to develop a balanced and coherent research
programme to identify and solve the major problems limiting agricultural growth in
the zone.

Under the NARP zoning was mainly based on ecological land classification
taking into account factors like soils, climate, topography, vegetation, crops etc.
Zones were contiguous areas within the state boundary and have homogeneous
topography, rainfall, soils, cropping patterns and irrigation facilities. In general each
agroclimatic zone comprises of 2-4 districts spreading over 40-50 thousand sq. km.
Under NARP 131 agro climatic zones for 17 major states and 9 union territories
were identified.
 1- Western Himalayan Region
2. Eastern Himalayan Region
3. Lower Gangetic Plain Region
4.. Middle Gangetic Plain Region
5. Upper Gangetic Plain Region
6. Trans·Gangtltic Plain Region
7. Eastern Plateau & Hills Region
8. Central Plateau & Hills Region
9. Western Plateau & Hills Region
10. Southern Plateau & Hills Region
11. East Coast Plains & Hills Region
lZ. West Coast Plains & Ghats Region
f 13. Gujarat Plains 8. Hills Region
0
.
~

15 ,.:
14 • Western Dry Region
15. Island Region
~

Fig. 1 Agro-climatic zones of India (Ghosh, 1991)

The All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control was initially
implemented in the states of Rajasthan, (Central Arid Zone Research Institute,
Jodhpur) Karnataka (University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore) and Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana) during 1978. Later on it was extended
to Kerala (Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragodl, Andhra Pradesh
(Agricultural Research Station (ANGRAU), Maruteru), Madhya Pradesh (Jawahar
Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur), Gujarat (Gujarat Agricultural
University, Junagadh), Himachal Pradesh (Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture
& Forestry, Solan), Northern Eastern Hill States (Indian Council of Agricultural
Research complex for NEH region, Barapani, Shillong) Uttar Pradesh (Indian Institute
of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow) and Assam (Assam Agricultural University,
Jorhat). However the centres at Kasaragod, Junagadh, Jabalpur and Solan were
closed during the IX and X Plans. The Project is now referred as All India Network
Project (AINP) on Rodent Control.
One of the major and most important mandates of AICRP on Rodent Control
is SURVEY, SURVELLIANCE AND MONITORING OF RODENT PESTS IN DIFFERENT
AGROCLlMATIC ZONES of the country.
If we fit the research data of AICRP on Rodent Control into the map of
Planning Commission delineating India into 15 agro-climatic regions of the country,
data has been generated for species composition o.f rodents for parts of Western
Himalayan Region (Himachal Pradesh), parts of Trans Gangetic Plain (Punjab),
Western Dry Region (Rajasthan), Gujarat Plains & Hill Region (Gujarat), Upper

2
Gangetic Plain (Uttar Pradesh), Eastern Himalayan Region (North Eastern Hill states
& Assam), West Coast Plains and Ghats Region (parts of Kerala and Karnataka),
and Southern Plateau and Hill Region (most of Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh
& Tamil Nadu). The Project, therefore could not generate data on rodent research
in Middle Gangetic Plains (Bihar), Western Plateau and Hills Region (Maharashtra),
Easterr, Plateau and Hills Region (Orissa), East Coast Pla:ns and Hills Region
(Coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Orissa) and Lower Gangetic plain
region (West Bengal).

ROQENT PESTS OF AGRICULTURE

A pest is defined as "an animal that causes harm to humans, their crops,
livestock or possessions". Organisms that ;,lf1ict discomfort, annoyance, trouble
and nuisance are also called pests.

Of the 128 species· of rodents belonging to 46 genera in India about a dozen

qualify as pests, three to four may become occasional pests, some are localized
pests and a few of them are pests of National significance. The main damage by
rodents is to agricultural produce both in the field and in storage. They also cause
damage to machinery, doors, windows, buildings and roads by their gnawing
activity. A large number of diseases including bubonic plague, leptospirosis, murine
typhus etc. are transmitted actively or passively i.e. as reservoirs or vectors by
rodents. The earlier record of their nuisance has been documented in detail by
Barnett and Prakash (1975), Prakash and Mathur (1987) and Ghosh and Prakash
(1992). Scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research working in the Project
in different agro-climatic zones of the country since 1978 have generated huge
amount of data on the species div~rsity in different agro-ecosystems and cropping
conditions, bio-ecology of pest species, toxicity of rodenticides and evaluation
and formulation of rodent management strategies. Based on these works this
compendium attempts to give an in depth, update information on the rodent
infestation, species abundance and damage caused in different cropping situations
in India. The book shall have ,chapters on major rodent pests of India with a brief
description of species and its pest status, followed by consolidated information
on crop and area specific rodent distribution and damage across the major agro-
ecological conditions of the country based on the data collated by All India Co-
ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control. The states include Andhra Pradesh,
Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, North-
East Hill region, Punjab, Rajasthan and' Uttar Pradesh. In addition, information
available for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and other states from other
sources have also been highlighted. The last chapter attempts to work out the
crop losses due to rodents to hightlight the role of rodents in yield losses of
different crops across the country.

3
 MAJOR RODENT PEST SPECIES OF INDIA

1. The Northern Palm or five stripped squirrel, Funambulus pennant;

(Wroughton 1905) (Family: Sciuridae)
F. pennanti is a medium sized squirrel weighing 90g with a bushy tail. The
dorsal side is greyish brown with five distinctly white stripes separated by four off
white bands. Tail is white with a blackish midportion and tail tip is whitish. Soft
fur covers the small ears (Plate 1).
Distribution: India, Pakistan, Nepal and parts of Iran. Within India its distribution
ranges from south of Sikkim to the northern district of Dharwad in Karnataka,
from Baluchistan to West Bengal. It is also reported from Andaman Island (Fig. 1).
Habitat: Although the northern palm squirrel generally lives close to human
habitation, orchards, gardens, parks and in areas with fairly good number of trees,
wild populations of the species are also found in forests. In the wild, rocky habitat
with dense cover of trees are preferred. The squirrel nests in holes in tree trunks as
well as crevices in the walls of buildings, window sills, compounds etc. Females
during breeding construct nests using twigs, rags, hair etc.
Habits: It is highly active, playful, arboreal and running around up and down the
trees, chirpy and diurnal. Peaks of activity occur in the morning and early evenings.
Breeding : The female squirrel reaches sexual maturity by about 6~8 months of
age. Although reported to breed throughout the year (Bannerjee, 1955 & 1957),
breeding is generally seasonal from March to September with peaks during March~
April and July-September in Rajasthan (Purohit et al., 1966) and from February to
September in Delhi (Seth and Prasad, 1969). Gestation lasts 40-42 days and litter
size varies from 1-5. The young are weaned after 30 days and reach adult size in
four. months.
Food: They generally consume fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers etc. but being omnivorous
eat insect larvae, beetles, moths etc.
Pest status : F.pennanti causes severe damage to fruits like pomegranate, sapota
(chiku), grapes, guava and Ziiyphus (Prakash and Ghosh, 1992). Damage to
pineapple in Bangladesh (Posamentier, 1981), pineapple and mango in Nepal
(Bruggers and Brooks, 1984) has been reported.

2. The Southern palm squirrel, Fanumbulus palmarum (Linnaeus)

(Family: Sciuridae)
F. pa/marum is a medium size'd rodent. Its biology, habit and economic
importance are similar to F. pennant; as it is its counterpart in southern India. The

4
main difference is morphological, namely there are three white bands on the
dorsal side separated by two off-white bands (Plate 1). Information available
about the species is negligible although it is surmised that the biology and
behaviour is similar to F. pennanti (Fig. 1).

3. The Western Ghat squirrel, Funumbulus tristriatus (Waterhouse)

(Family: Sciuridae)
F. tristriatus is the largest species of the genus Funumbulus weighing around
125g. The dorsal side has three narrow, white or pale buff stripes separated by
black or brown bands. The central stripe is thinner and shorter than the lateral
ones. Belly is whitish with hair bases distinctly grey.

There are three sub species of F. tristriatus viz., F. t. tristriatus, F. t. wroughtoni

and F. t.numaris (Moore and Tate, 1965)

Distribution: F. tristriatus inhabits a limited area of Western and South Western

India extending from Mumbai down to Travancore in the south, mostly in the
coastal areas and the evergreen forests of Western Ghats. F. t. tristriatus is the
most abundant, living in the central and northern strip of Western Ghats including
coastal areas. F. t. wroughtoni is the least abundant and lives in non-coastal interiors
of Western Karnatal<a and interior of Kerala while F. t.numaris is endemic to coastal
western Kerala (Fig. 2).

Habitat: It is quite diverse with almost all types of Western Ghat biome being
inhabited by F. tristriatus, which include villages, towns, crop fields, orchards,
plantations and forests. It lives in nests built using fibrous plants on top of trees
in a canopy as well as on the rafts of tiled or thatched building.

Habits : The squirrel is arboreal and diurnal with pe.ak activities in the morning and
evenings. Feeding occurs at the same peaks.

Food: The squirrel is an omnivore, eating paddy, male flowers of coconut, termites
and caterpillars. In addition, large amounts of fruits like cashew, apple, mclngo,
cocoa kokra, laurel, insects like black ants and beetles are also eaten. It inflicts
I

heavy losses to cocoa in Kerala and Karnataka (Abraham et a1. 1979; Bhat et ::>/.
1981 ).

Breeding : The Western Ghats squirrel breeds throughout the year with peak
occurring from December to May (summer) and with minimum number of breeding
females during June-August, the months of heavy rainfall in west coast of India.

Pest status : The squirrel damages the pod in the centre, while the rats damage
near the peduncle. The Western Ghat squirrel along with Rattus rattus cause 51-
60% loss to cocoa in Kera~a. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the loss reported was
48% and 50%, respectively (Bhat et al., 1981).

5
4. The Indian crested porcupine, Hystrix indica (Kerr, 1792) (Family:
Hystricidae)
There are two species of Hystrix, viz., H. indica I<err and H. hodgsoni Gray.
The crested porcupine is the largest rodent species in India measuring 680-
750mm in length and weighing 11-18 kg. The neck and upper back are covered
with distinct long, stiff, bristle-like hairs called quills (15-30cm). When the anim~1
is excited the hair stand erect to form a prominent crest. The body is clothed with
alternating dark brown and white quills and the tail is covered by short and broad
quills. Short, coarse, black hairs thinly cover the ventral surface. The "rattling
quills" on the tail are white in colour, large and open (Plate 1).
Distribution: H. indica is widely distributed in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, extending to 'Israel, Arabia, Southern and Eastern Russia (Fig. 3). H.
hodgsoni Gray is found only in the central and eastern Himalayas, Assam and
lower Bengal upto an altitude of 1500m. This species is characterised by a very
small, rudimentary crest which may be absent often (Fig. 3).
Habitat : Indian Crested Porcupine is highly adaptable, occurring throughout the
Indian subcontinent from valleys upto 2750 meters altitude. It is found in moist
deciduous forests, forest plantations, rocky hillsides, sandy deserts, ravines. ano
valleys stretching from Himalayas to Kanyakumari. It is less common in alluvial
plains and rare in intensively cultivated areas.
Habits : Porcupines live in caves, amongst rocks, in tunnel dug by them or in
burrows dug by other animals .. During crop maturity they lie i.n thick shrub near
cultivated fields or taking shelter amidst the nearby tall 'grass, if avai,lable.
The mouth of the burrow of porcupine" is surrounded by large quantity of
earth and is strewn with bones and horns, which are gnawed by porcupines to .
obtain calcium for the growth of their quills. Apart from the main opening, there
are two-three bolt holes for emergency escape around the mouth of the burrow.
Burrows can extend upto 18m in length, and 1. 5m deep, leading to a large square
chamber (Plate 1).
Porcupines are nocturnal with an acute sense of smell. When irritated or
alarmed, the spines on the body become erect, the animal grunts and puffs
simultaneously rattling its hollow tail quills. By launching itself backwards with
high speed, it lodges its hindquarters against the enemy's body and drives its erect
quills deep which is fatal to the attacked animal.
Food: Porcupines are known to be chiefly herbivorous feeding on succulent
tubers, bulbs, ripe fruits and bark of trees. Grain, vegetables of all kinds and roots
are also consumed.
Breeding : Porcupines breed throughout the year. Gestation lasts 109-112 days.
Litter size ranges 1-4 (Prakash, 1971).

6
Pest status: They can be very destructive to gardens and cultivated crops by
tunnelling beneath the walls and hedges in order to access the food. Although
estimated losses to agriculture are not available, they cause considerable yield loss
to maize, sugarcane, potato, sweet potato, ripe melons, onion, carrot etc apart
from damaging forest plantations by their girdling behaviour.

5. The Indian gerbil. Tatera indica (Hardwicke, 1807) (Family: Muridae,

Subfamily: Gerbilliane)
Belonging to the same family as rats and mice Le. Muridae, but in a different
sub family, gerbHliane, the Indian gerbil is distinctly different from rats by its tail,
hind feet, ears and eyes. The tail, unlike the naked type in rats and mice is covered
with hair, which terminates at the tip as a tuft. The hind feet are longer than fore
feet. Eyes are large and ears round. Generally light brown in colour, varying trom
sandy brown to grey on the dorsal side and pure to off white ventrally. Feet are
white, in colour. A light brown band runs along each side of the tail. It is also
known as antelope rat due to its large beautiful eyes (Plate 1). The body weight of
Indian gerbils ranges from 100-1 50g for males and 70-1 OOg for females. Variation
in colour and other minor characters has led to identification of four distinct races
namely Tatera indica indica Hardwicke, T. indica cuvieri Waterhouse, T.indica
hardwickei Gray and T. indica cey/onica Waterhouse. Several authors have recorded
decrease of body size and increase in the length of tail and ear with increasing
aridity of the land (Jain et at, 1975; Rana et al., 1975; Prakash and Kumari, 1979).
The species. is also regarded as reservior of plague bacillus.

Distribution : The range of T.· indica extends westwards to Iran, Syria, Turkey,
Iraq, Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and southwards to Sri Lanka. However, the
two races, T. indica cuvieri and T. indica hardwickei are restricted to Indian sub-
continent (Ellerman, 1961). The species is ubiquitous occurring throughout India
'from Himalaya to Kanyakumari (Fig. 4).

Habitat : T.indica inhabits open plains, loose sandy soils of the desert, and is
usually found at the edges of cultivation. Burrows are dug near hedges, thickets or
under bushes, sometimes inside the field also when conditions are dry. In irrigated
fields or fields urider the threat of floods, high level ground is preferred for burrow
construction. Burrows are easy to notice with beaten paths or runways leading
from one opening to another. Males and females are reported to live in separate,
distinct burrows. The burrow of a male is characterised by a single entrance while
that of a female has several openings. The opening leads to a chamber at about
15cm depth. There is a bolt hole for emergency escape. The exit hole may be
covered with a thin crust of soil (Plate 1).

Habits : Gerbils are nocturnal. At the slightest alarm, they move in leaps. and
bounds, sometimes clearing 1.2 to 1.5 m distance in a single leap.

7
Food: Main food is grains, roots, leaves and grasses. When density is high they
are destructive to almost all kinds of cultivated crops at every stage and are also
known to hoard food in their burrows (Prater, 1980). During lean season they eat
roots, leaves and fruits of wild plants. They quickly adapt to consuming insects
and their eggs, eggs and young of ground nesting birds and probably smaller
rodents.

Breeding and reproduction : T.indica breeds throughout the year in arid Rajasthan
with maximum littering in the month of August and a minor peak in February
(Jain, 1970; Tripathi, 2005). In Karnataka peak reproductive activity was seen
during October-December with a mean litter size of 6. The breeding rate (productivity)
was calculated to be 53 young/female/breeding season (Govind Raj and Srihari,
1987).

Pest status: Because of its preference to live and feed on cultivated crops, T.indica
is a serious pest of all crops in the arid zones, on millet, jowar, vegetables, maize,
groundnut and pulses in other states. But to pinpoint exactly the yield losses to
gerbifs is difficult as they live in association with other rodent pests namely,
Meriones hurrianae, Gerbillus gleadowii, Gerbil/us nan us, Nesokia indica, Bandicota
bengalensis, Golunda ellioti, Mus booduga and Milfardia meltada in different part's
of Rajasthan. In Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka they are
reported to be associated with B.benga/ensis, M.meltada, Mus p/aythrix and
M.booduga .:and contribute significantly to total losses due to rodents.

6. The desert gerbil, Meriones hurrianae (Jerdon) (Family: Muridae, Sub family:
Gerbillinae)
The adult body weight of M. hurrianae is 40-160g., c',Jlour is sandy grey to
brownish grey dorsally and white to off-white ventrally. Tail is pale with black or
dark brown tussle of hair at the tip (Plate 1).

Distribution : Geographically the genus Meriones occurs from Morocco in North

Western Africa to the Indian desert in the east, to Russia through the deserts of
China, Mongolia and Manchuria in North China. In India distribution of M. hurrianae
is resvicted to Northwest desert of Rajasthan, adjoing regions of Punjab, H~ryana
and North West Gujarat (Fig, 4). .

Habitat: Although it lives in almost all the habitats of Thar Desert, it prefers sandy
habitat most. Next in preference is the rUderal habitat followed by gravel plains.
Burrows are elaborate, criss-crossing like a honeycomb. They can go upto 1 m deep
and have an emergency exit hole. Desert life has rendered them less parasitic on
man and thus burrows can be found not only near cultivation but far away in
waste lands, thorny forests, and open desert. Sand dunes, banks, wind blown
moulds of sand consolidated· beneath desert shrubs and plants are also pre'ferred

8
 Funambulus pennanti Funampulus palma rum

Hystrix indica
H. indica burrow

Tatera indica, and its burrow

Meriones hurrianae
sites for burrows. Burrows have cooler temperature during summer and warmer in
winter. A Single ~urrow system way have several openings.
Habits: Desert gerbils are diurnal. They are far more gregarious than Indian gerbils
but live in smaller colonies. They are !nost active during early morning and evening
hours in summers and from sunrise to sunset in winters. When alarmed the desert
gerbil makes a drumming sound by stamping its hind legs on the ground and
raising its tail.
Food: Although herbivprous, the diet selection is influenced by availability of
food with a definite seasonal pattern. Seeds form the major diet during winter,
rhizomes and stems in summer months, to some extent insects also, and in rainy
season leaves and flowers form the bulk of the food consumed.
Breeding and reproduction : Females breed throughout the year with two peaks in
February and July (Prakash and Ghosh, 1992, Tripathi 2.005) but a third peak was
observed during September-November (Kaul and Ramaswami, 1969).
Pest status: M.hurrianae is a common pest of bajra, wheat, chillies, vegetable
crops, grass and other vegetation.

7. The hairy footed gerbil, Gerbil/us g/eadowii (Family: Muridae, Sub family:
Gerbillinae) .
Like M. hurrianae this gerbil is also a true xeric fauna and occurs in the sandy
plains and inter dunal spaces is western Rajasthan (Fig. 5; Plate 2), It is small
sized rodent with sand coloured dorsum and pure white ventrum with a long tail
(Tripathi et al., 1992). Peak breeding activity is noticed during May-June and
October-January months with a litter size of 2·4 in winters and 5-6 in summer. It
is an occassional pest of rain fed crops in Thar desert. At times its deprepation to
crops has been so devastating that required resowing (PrakaSh, 1976)

8. The short tailed mole rat, Nesokia indica (Gray, 1830) (Family: Muridae
Sub family: Murinae)
The species is relatively large weighing more than 200g. The heavily built
body is dull to brown on the dorsum and has a lighter ventral side. Tail is short. Fur
is short and rough (Plate 2).
Distribution: The species has a wide distribution, spread over India, Pakistan,
Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Russia, Afghanistan, Syria, Chinese Turkistan and Northern Arabia;
in India it is found only in Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh and Union Territory of Delhi (Fig. 5).
Habitat and Habits : It prefers bunds in cultivated fields along water channels but
also occurs in natural vegetation and garden lawns. Prefers soft soil with high

9
moisture content and good vegetation cover. Nocturnal and fossorial. Burrows
are dug preferably at higher levels. In non-irrigated lands burrows are seen only
during moist season. Excavates extensive burrows with a heap of soil at the
burrow entrance. Ramesh (1992) categorises five types of burrows depending on
complexity. Burrows with short tunnels and single opening are found inside the
crop fields and are used to take temporary shelter during times of danger while
they are out for feeding in the field.
The mole rats are inactive during the severe winter months in northern India,
staying inside burrows whose exit holes upto 15-60 cms of tunnel length being
tilled with soil. When winter comes to a close during February, they emerge from
the burrows more actively.The rat is nocturnal with a bimodal circadian rhythm of
being active between 18.00h and 20.30h and again at dawn between 6.00h and
7.30h.
Breeding : Although it breeds throughout the year under laboratory conditions, in
nature breeding occurs only during winters.

Food: Omnivorous, being commensal the diet is adapted to availability viz., grains,
seeds, fruits, tubers, stored products, bakery items, eggs, animal feed and even
plantation crops like coconut and cocoa.

Pest status : Feeds on leaves and roots of lawn grass and crops. It is reported to
feed on barley, wheat, potato, groundnut, sugarcane, mustard, brinjal, tomato
and water melon (Ramesh, 1992) and forestry plantations in arid zone (Tripathi
and Jain, 1 990).

9. The Bruneusculus rat/Hodgson's rat, Rattus rattus hrunneusculus (Hodgson,

1845) (Family: Muridae, Subfamily: Murinae)
R.r. brunneusculus is mostly found in hill states of Northeast India. The rat
is characterised by white belly and sometimes it may be yellowish or buffy. The
dorsal side is brown to greyish brown. Fur is short and soft. Body and tail length
are equal i.e. 14-20cm. The elongated head ends in a pointed snout. Although tail
appears naked, there are signs of hair all along the tail (Plate 2).

Distribution: Found in Nepal, Sikkim, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and

Manipur.

Habitat: It is reported to occur preferably in paddy fields and also known to occur
in hilly slopes, jhums (shifting cultivation) forest and in tribal settlements.
I

HOabits : It is nocturnal living in underground burrows, which may range from

simple burrows to complex burrow system. They resemble the burrow systems of
Bandicota bengalensis but with smaller dimensions. The oval burrow opening
leads to a .horizontal undulating passage (4-8 em in diameter) with 2-4 openings.

10
At intervals the passage expands into nesting and hoarding chambers. The latter
are stocked with paddy, vegetable depending on the availability.

Breeding : Peak breeding was observed from June to August.

Food: Mostly paddy and maize; in its absence vegetables and bamboo seeds.

Pest status: Causes considerable damage to paddy and maize. It is reported to

cause famine like conditions as a result of massive increase in population which
coincides with cycle of bamboo flowering in North-east India.

10. The soft furred field rat or metad, Mi/lardia meltada (Ryley) (Family:
Muridae, Subfamily: Murinae)
The metad, Rattus (Mil/ardia) me/tada weighs 40-60g. Fur is very soft. Body
colour light to dark grey dorsally with foot and belly being off white. Tail similar to
body colour with dark grey above and pale below (Plate 2).

Distribution : It is widely distrubuted throughout India except the north-east

mountainous areas (Fig. 6).

Habitat : It is one of the most predominant rodent pests in almost all the states,
inhabiting crop fields usually choosing the drier patches. It is also reported from
the ruderal habitats, scrub grassland, gravely areas and sandy plains of Rajasthan.

Habits : Nocturnal. It occupies the cracks and crevices in the dried up crop fields
after harvest as well as the deserted burrows of other rodents. Also it digs simple
and shallow burrows (Plate 2).

Breeding : In Karnataka the breeding season for M.meltada extended from July to
early March with peak reproduction during September- November. The annual
productivity was 53-young/female/breeding se.ason. (Govind Raj and Srihari, 1989).
In Rajasthan, metads bread throughout the year with peak reproduction occurring
in March-October (Rana and Prakash, 1984).

Pest status: M. me/tada is a serious pest of kharif crops like ragi (Eleusine coracana) ,
jowar, maize, groundnut, cotton, til (Sesamum indicum) and moong (Vigna radiata).
During rabi they inflict damage to wheat, barley and brown sarson (Brassica
campestris). They are also reported to cause damage to natural grasslands and
fodder crops in Rajasthan.

l'
11. The Himalayan rat, Rattus nitidus (Hodgson, 1845) (Family: Muridae,
Subfamily: Murinae)
R. nitidus weighs 1 00-175g with its body covered by soft fur. It is dark
brown on the rump with yellowish to whitish feet which may be dark occasionally.
Belly is grey or white or brownish. Tail is dark and naked (Plate 3).

Habitat and Habit : It is nocturnal and commensal.

Distribution: North east hill regions of India and Kumaon in Uttar Pradesh (Fig. 7).

Pest status : Damages paddy, pineap'ple and maize.

12. Wroughton's rat, Rattus rattus wroughtoni(Hinton, 1919) (Family: Muridae,

Subfamily: Murinae)
This is actually a distinct sub species of Rattus rattus with characteristic
white belly. It weighs around 95g (palte 3).

Distribution : R.r. wroughtoni has been reported from southern India (Jain, 1979)
and Maharashtra (Deoras et al., 1975). It is found abundantly in the semi evergreen
forests, scrub jungles, teak plantations of Karnataka (Sreenivasan, 1975), throughout
the state of Kerala in houses, coconut palms and tree cavities (George et al., 1980)
and is a seriDus pest of coconut in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (Bhat,
1990; Reddy, 1998) and of areca nut and cocoa plantations in Kerala and Karnataka
(Bhat et al., 1 990)

Habitat and Habits : R.f. wroughtoni is an arboreal rodent spending more than
80% of time on tree tops (Shat and Sujatha, 1986). It lives in nests constructed in
tree holes in forests and either in the interspace of nuts or inside stipules in the
spindle portion of coconut.

Food : Although food habits in the wild are not known, it is reported to be
omnivorous (Advani and Bhat, 1985). Wild fruits and seeds of several plants apart
from coconut, cocoa, cottonseeds and oil palm seedlings are reported to be eaten
(Rajagopalan, 1966; Advani, 1984; George et al., 1980; Bhat et al., 1990).

13. The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (Family: Muridae Subfamily: Murinae)
R, norvegicus is primarily a temperate zone rodent both commensal and field
pest. Its distribution in India is limited to harbour cities of Mumbai and Kolkota. In
recent years its presence in uraban locale of NEH region has also been reported. It
is nocturnal and commensal in India and weighs 250-350g. Body brownish dorsally
and ventrum whitish or off white (Plate 3). Although inhabits sewers elsewhere, in

12
.Kolkota and Mumbai yet it digs burrows in godowns and is a warehouse pest
(Jain et al., 1993).

14. The Indian bush rat, GoJunda ellioti (Family: Muridae, Subfamily: Murinae)
Not much information is available about this species whose distribution is
limited to North-west arid zones of Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat (Plate 3; Fig. 8).
Nocturnal and fossorial, digging burrows in scrub, thorny and bushy plantations,
and around crop fields. Reported to be a minor pest of agriculture in Punjab and
Rajasthan (Saini and Parshad, 1993; Prakash and Mathur, 1987).

15. The house mouse, Mus musculus (linnaeus, 1758) (Family: Muridae,
Subfamily: Murinae)
The house mouse, M. musculus is a tiny animal weighing 1 5-20g. Tail is
naked and longer than body length. Dorsally, the colour varies from brown to light
brown with belly being whitish or light grey (Palte 3).

Distribution : Throughout the world.

Habitat and Habits: Commensal, nesting in rafts, crevices in walls, amidst staked
undisturbed bags of food grains in godowns, table draws; often lives in fields
digging burrows. Nocturnal.

Pest status : Being commensal it is a nuisance to many items in addition to

spilling and spoiling a lot more than eating. In fields it is known to damage
sugarcane, groundnut etc. By cutting wires it causes power failures and computer
shut downs which are financially disastrous by affecting production.

16. The Brown spiny mouse, Mus platythrix (Bennet, 1832) (Family: Muridae,
Subfamily: Murinae)
M. platythrix is sympatric with elliot's mouse, Mus saxicola. Body weight
ranges 20-30 g with the fur composed of entirely flattened spines. The dorsal fur
is coarser than the belly. The colour is sandy to brown dorsally and white ventrally.
The colour pattern is sharp and distinct.

Distribution : occurs from Deccan to Punjab northwards and to Bihar eastwards

but absent in North-East and Jammu & Kashmir (Fig. 8).

Habitat & Habits : Found in crop fields, prefers rocky and gravely habitat. The
mouse is burrow dwelling and nocturnal. The burrow opening ;s characterised by
arrangement of pebbles, small stones and broken earthware in concentric circles.
A significant quantity is collected inside the burrow also (Palte 3). The burrow has

13
1-3 surface openings with a mean length of 295mm and a mean depth of 12cm
with one bed chamber (Malhi et al., 1987). But Chandrahas (1974) reported that
the species occupies burrows deserted by other rodents.

Breeding : M.platythrix breeds all round the year with a peak during October to
January in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. (Anon, 1990; Chandrahas, 1974), from
June to early March in Karnataka (Govind Raj, 1994). The annual productivity is
reported to be 18 in Andhra Pradesh (Rao, 1979; 1981) and 54 in Karnataka
(Govind Raj, 1994).

Pest status: Pest of paddy, ragi, wheat, oil seeds and pulse crops.

17. The Indian field mouse, Mus booduga (Gray, 1837) (Family:· Muridae,
Subfamily: Murinae)
M. booduga is a tiny mouse weighing 10-12g. Dorsal fur varying in colour
from pale sandy in the desert regions to dark brown to greyish in most regions.
Ventrum is white (Plate 4).

Distribution: Throughout India (Fig.9).

Habitat and Habits : M. booduga is found in crop fields especially irrigated ones.
It is fossorial and nocturnal. Burrows have 2-4 surface openings with a depth of
50-60 cm and length ranging 45-65 cm. The burrows have 1-2 nesting chambers
and have smaller openings compared to other species. The one-cm opening is
characterised by scooped soil at the entrance with small pebbles (Plate 3). Hoarding
upto 7g per burrow is reported.

Breeding : Breeds throughout the year in Punjab, except during very cold months.
In South India breeding occurred throughout the year with low reproductive activity
during March to July. Annual productivity was 21 young/female/year (Chandrahas,
1974; Rao, 1977). However later studies revealed breeding period from July to
March with a peak in September-October and annual reproductivity as 52/femalel
year in Karnataka (Sridhara, 1999)

Pest status: Pest in rice, wheat, groundnut, raddish etc.

18. The House rat, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Family: Muridae, Subfamily:
Murinae)
It is a medium sized rat weighing 150-200g. R.rattus is also called as roof
rat, black rat and ship rat. It is the most abundant and widely distributed rodent
species in India as well as the world. Biswas and Tiwari (1969) recognized at least
14 subspecies within our country. It is ch,aracterised by long tail, slender bo'dy

14
and pointed snout as well as the belly. The dorsal fur is mostly blackish in
commensal forms which range to yellow to brown black with pale white belly in
wild forms (Plate 4).

Distribution : All over the world.

Habitat : Mostly commensal living in houses, godowns, stores, poultry farms,

crop fields adjacent to villages, plantation crops especially coconut, open country,
forests and in the hills.

Habits : tt is nocturnal and colonial.

Breeding : House rats breed throughout the year, reportedly with two peaks oJ
reproduction viz., March-April and August-September (Krishna Kumari et al., 1992).
Breeding was also reported from March-December with a peak in September-
November. The annual productivity was 70/female/year (Krishnamurthy, 1990).

19. The lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis (Gray, 1835) (Family:
Muridae, Subfamily: Murinae)
There are three recognised sub species of B. bengalensis in India namely,
B.benga/ensis bengalensis (Gray), B.b. varius (Thomas) and B.b. wardi (Wroughton).
It is also called the Indian mole rat.

The lesser bandicoot is robust with a round head and a broad muzzle weighing
200-350g. The body is covered with coarse fur which forms black-tipped piles on
the dorsal side. The colour on the dorsal side is dark brown but may be blackish,
pale brown or reddish. Feet are dark but digits are paler. Tail is completely dark
and paler below occasionally. Belly grey or light grey and rarely whitish (Plate 4).

Distribution : Except the extremes of western Thar desert, B.benga/ensis is widely

distributed throughout India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Srilanka and
South East Asia (Fig. 5). In recent years it is being reported from urban areas of
Jodhpur and Bikaner city.

Habitat and Habits : The lesser bandicoot rat IS well adapted to various habitats
and lives in different ecological conditions which include cultivated fields, pastures,
forests, mountains, inter-tidal mangrove zones, semi arid zones and of late as a
commensal in towns and cities across India. However basically it requires damp
soil for burrowing.

It is completely a fossorial rodent favouring embankments around paddy

fields. The burrows are elaborate with several openings. The entrance is
characteristically covered with a heap of dug out soil, which are usually small
lumps of soil (Plate 4). Burrow opening lead to branching and winding tunnels,

15
which are interconnected. Several tunnels expand to serve as brood/nesting
chambers. Some others are utilised as storage chambers. The number of burrow
openings vary from 1 to 16. Depth ranges from 30cm to 100cm and length from
43cm to 450cm. Burrows are dug in crop fields, parks and near garbage dumping
yards etc. In godowns burrows are dug even in cemented floor and walls.
Considerable amount of grain is hoarded inside the burrows.

The rat is nocturnal. Although reported to be colonial, during breeding season

males and females with her young seem to live in separate burrows.

Breeding : The mole rat breeds throughout the year. Definite peaks occur during
different seasons across the country. In Karnataka breeding lasts from early July
to end of April with peak reproductivity seen during September to October. The
annual calculated reproductive rate was 67 young/female/year (Srihari and Govind
Raj, 1984).

Food: B.benga/ensis is omnivorous with a definite preference towards food grains.

When vegetative food is not available it easily switches over to insects, molluscs
etc. thus exhibiting seasonal adaptation to food and a capacity to select the best
balanced diet depending on availability.

Pest status: The lesser bandicoot is a serious pest of agriculture in India causing
extensive damage to paddy, wheat, moong, maize, jowar, ragi, melia, sugarcane,
groundnut, pea, many vegetables, and coconut nurseries. Their burro,!"s were also
reported from tapioca, calocasia, yam and rubber plantations of Kerala. The
burrowing activity of lesser bandicoot rats causes damage to roots causing the
slow death of trees/plants in many orchards, plantations and perennial crops like
mulberry, apple. Similarly their burrowing activity interferes with i'rrigation of marshy
crops like paddy and leads to indirect losses.

20. The larger bandicoot rat, Bandicota indica (Bechstein) (Family: Muridae,
Subfamily: Murinae)
B.indica is a very large rat, head and body normally ranging 200mm-366mm.
Weight ranges 'from 500g to 2kg !';md more. Tail is shorter than head and body is
covered with hair throughout its length. The fur is very rough and quite long
dorsally. The upper part of the body is dark or blackish brown and ventrum is grey,
drab or dark (Plate 4).

Distribution: From the south of Rajasthan down to southern tip of India and eastwards
too. Widely distributed in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Sumatra, Java, southern China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Srilanka (Fig. ~).

16
Gerbil/us g/eadowi Burrow of G. gleadowi

Nesokia indica Rattus rattus brunneusculus

Miliardia me/fada Burrow of M. meftada

PLATE - 2
), ' }Ij,

Rattus nitidus Rattus rattus wroughtoni

Rattus norvegicLls Golunda ellioti

Mus musculus Burrow of Mus platythrix

Habitat and habits : The larger bandicoot always lives close to human habitat but
never inside the house or inside crop fields. It' prefers habitat that has lot of
garbage to feed and close to water bodies. In south India they are highly commensal.
They prefer places close to human dwellings such as compounds, gardens, stables,
poultry and out houses.

The species is nocturnal and fossorial. Burrows are found amidst tall grasses
and bushes around marshy areas, many a times tunnelled through bricks and
masonry of poorly constructed houses, huts in villages, poultry, out houses etc.
(Plate 4).

Burrows : The burrow system may be simple consisting of an unbranched tunnel

upto 700cm in length and 6-14cm in diameter. These are usually used as temporary
shelters to indulge in feeding. A normal burrow system has 1-13 openings leading
to tunnels with a diameter of 6-24 cm. Depth may range 40-60cm and extending
to a maximum length of 9m. The oblique tunnel from the opening branches at
regular intervals, which mayor may not be interconnected. One of the tunnels or
the blind end of the tunnel expands and forms a brood chamber. Burrow openings
are recognised by the presence of wet globules of fresh earth and soft faecal
matter (plate 4).

Food : Larger bandicoot rats are omnivorous and usually feed on household refuse,
grain, vegetables and sporadically attack poultry. In Sagar islands of West Bengal
they are reported to go underwater and capture fish, molluscs, crabs etc. During
harvest they turn grainivorous on harvested paddy and also eat vegetables as well
as ground dwelling birds (Chakraborty, 1992).

Breeding : B.indica breeds all around the year in West Bengal and Vietnam but has
a seasonal reproduction from September to March in India (Chakraborty, 1975;
Jain, 1979). The annual productivity at Sagar islands was reported to be 20young/
female/year.

Pest status : Although there is no estimate of losses, damage to paddy, wheat,

maize and different vegetables definitely occurs. In many areas it is a serious pest
of aquaculture especially prawn culture was damaged by its depredation. In deltaic
islands serious indirect damage to cultivation is caused by their tunnelling of the
embankment causing seepage of saline into paddy fields (Chakraborty, 1992)

17
 II'

Fig. 1
".

~ Fwwmbullt.,·paimoruni
,IWW!f JIluwmb.'." p,-ntlGnu

Fig. 2

~ ,. '.'m.~••_~\
1111- [o'.m,hl'"UlIti.;
~!~~, F.Jdyur<b ...

<T"i'" ,."'i'··""i.i'i'" ,1111 Fig. 3

\
-:;\;;::":>-r<';-+~::::!?" ,
. ". ". I
_;: : :: .:: .:,.' HystnxmdJca (>

,,. r 11111 H.lJodgsom

, >61_ -- SicJSta cO'Jroiar
m 4tJh~IUI ,~,'i matttWJ U$

~ Plataca,uhamys laSlltnJS
(From Tiwari & Biswas, 1966)
10" ,q

18
 Fig. 4

g~gi TM.'I'rt mJik'~

r l-;'_'J'blllLLr ~lL.Jduw I
fI (I r/1ltjJrmu:
;?i~i~i MI'J Irme.\" hlll'J '(lIlCU

1
rIG Fig. 5

,.
,... BanalCQta I1Idl.~d
!J.berlgaleJI~s

IiD~
(,~

Fig. 6

IQO

(From Tiwari & Biswas, 1966)

19
 Fig. 7

Fig. 8

I MIJ3[;llhOJ

&I fo.fflll/JOtI

IIIIImI M.plal)l(~I'/'
~:~~. r.tuunda ell/nil
Dlom),.srl'Umrl

Fig. 9

lOll

(From Tiwari & Biswas, 1966)

20
Table 1: Distribution, habitat and pest status of Indian rodents

S. Pest species Distribution Habitat Habits Food Pest status

No.
1. Funanmbulu5 From the south Lives close to Arboreal, Generally Severe damage
pennanti (Fam. of Sikkim human highly active, fruits, nuts, to fruits like
Scluridae) FIVE through Indo- habitation, playful, seeds, pomegranate,
STRIPPED OR Gangetic orchards, chirpy and flowers. Also sapota (chiku),
NORTHERN plains to north gardens, diurnal, peak eats insects, grapes, guava
PALM SQUIRREL of Karnataka, parks and activity in the insect larvae, ·and zizyphus.
from North- wooded morning and beetles, moth
Western desert areas, Also early etc
to West found in evenings.
Bengal. forests. Hole
nesting in tree
trunks,
crevices in
the walls,
windowsills
and
compounds.
2. Funambulu5 Entire south Similar to Same as Similar to Similar to
pa/marum India, F.pennantl F.pennanti F.pennanti F.pennantl
(Fam. Sciuridae)
THREE
STRIPPED OR
SOUTHERN
PALM SQUIRREL
3, Funambulus Inhabits a Diverse, Arboreal, Omnivorous, Heavylo~ses
tristriatus limited area of almost all Diurnal with eating paddy, upto 51-60% to
western and types of peak male flower of cocoa. Damage
(Fam. Sciuridae) south western western ghat activities coconut, the pod in the
Three subspecies India from blame viz, early termites and centre.
F.t.tristriauts Mumbai down villages, morning and caterpillars.
F. t. wroughtini wards south to towns, crop evenings. Also cashew
F.t.numaris Trivendrum, fields, fruit, apple,
the west coast orchards, mango, cocoa,
and evergreen plantations kokra, laurel,
forests of and forests, insects,
western ghats. beetles.
4, Hystrix indica Throughout Found in Lives in Mainly Destructive to
(Fam. Hystrlcidae) India except moist caves, ,herbivorous, garden and
INDIAN higher deciduous amongst feeding on crop fields by
CRESTED Himalayas. forests, fares! rocks, tubers, bulbs, their burrowing
PORCUPINE The plantations, burrows ripe fruits. activity. Cause
subspecies, rocky nocturnal. barks of trees, damage to
H,hodgsonl is hillsides, grain, maize,
found only in sandy vegetables sugarcane,
Eastern deserts, and roots. potato, sweet
Himalayas, ravines and potato, ripe
Assam, lower valleys, melons, onion.
Bengal upto carrot etc. Also
1500m, damages forest
plantations.

21
S. Pest species Distribution Habitat Habits Food Pest status
Nb.
5. Tatera indica Ubiquitous Lives in open Nocturnal, Main food is Pest of all
(Fam. Muridae; Sub occurring plains, loose move In grain, roots, crops in arid
family Gerbillinae) throughout India sandy soils of leaps and leaves and zones, on
THE INDIAN GERBIL from Himalaya to desert, edges of bounds. grass. During millet, jowar,
lean season eat vegetable,
Kanyakumari. cultivation,
thickets, under -roots, leaves
and fruits of wild
maize,
groundnut
bushes.
plants. Also and pulses in
adapted to eat other states.
insects, their
eggs, eggs and
yaung of ground
nesting birds.
6. Merianas hurrianae Restricted to Prefers sandy, Diurnal, Mainly Cammon pest
(Fam. Muridae; Sub north west states desert habitat, gregarious, herbivorous of bajra,
fam. Gerbillianae) of Rajasthan, followed by most active seasonal wheat,
THE DESERT Gujarat and ruderal habitat during early preference seen chillies,
GERBIL predominantly In and gravel morning. with seeds in vegetable
the deserts of plains. winter, rhizome crops, and
former. and stems, other
insects In vegetation.
summer and
leaves and
flower during
rainy season.
7. R.rattus Found mostly in Occurs Nocturnal, Mostly paddy, Considerable
bruneusculus northeast India. preferably in fossoriaJ. also vegetables damage to
THE HODGSON'S paddy fields, and bamboo paddy.
RAT hilly slopes, seeds. Reported to
jhums (shifting cause famine
cultivation), situations due
forests and tribal to population
settlements. outbreaks at
the time of
bamboo
flowering.
8.. Millardia meltada Found Predominant Occupies Granivorous Serious pest
(Fam. Muridae) THE throughout India pest of rainfed self dug of kharif crops
SOFT FURRED except north-east and dry land burrows and like ragi,
FIELD RAT mountainous crops all over cracks, jowar, maize,
areas. the country. crevices in groundnut,
Chooses dry the dried up cotton, til,
patches. crop fields maong and
after during rabi
harvest. damages
wheat, barley
and brown
sarson, grass
lands and
fodder crops
in Rajasthan.

22
S. Pest species Distribution Habitat Habits Food Pest status
No.
g Rattus rattus wroughtoni Forests of Nesting in tree Arboreal Omnivorous Major pest of
(Fam. Muridae) Karnataka as holes in forests and consumes coconut, cocoa
THE WROUGHTON'S RAT a commensal and plantation Nocturnal wild fruits, and oil palm.
and pest of crops, tree seeds of
plantation canopies In several
crops in forests and also plants,
Kerala, In inhabIts seedlings of
Andhra houses. coconut,
Pradesh and cotton seed
parts of and oil palm.
Maharashtra.
10 Rattus nitidus Mostly found Occurs Nocturnal Omnivorous Damages paddy,
(Fam. Muridae) in North-east preferably in and pineapple and
THE HIMALAYAN RAT India and crop fields and commensal maize.
Kumaon in' bamboo
Uttar plantations.
Pradesh.

11 Rattus norvegicus Throughout Commensal, Nocturnal Omnivorous Pest In godowns

(Fam. Muridae) the world. found only in and and warehouses.
THE NORWAY RAT major port cities tossoria!.
of Kolkatta,
Mumbal etc ..
12 Mus musculus Throughout Commensal in Nocturnal. Omnivorous Nuisance to
(Fam. Muridae) THE HOUSE India houses, storage Lives in prefers household items.
MOUSE including structu res, nests in grains but Damages sugar
islands. eateries, structu res. eats cane, groundnut,
offices, Digs everythIng wheat etc.
factories and in burrows In that is edible
wiid stale In crop fields. both in raw or
crop fields. prepared
forms.
13 Mus pfatythrlx Entire South Found in crop Nocturnal Omnivorous Pest of paddy,
(Farn. Muridae) India, upto fields at the and prefers ragl, wheat, 011
THE BROWN SPINY MOUSE Punjab in the edges, prefers fossoria!. cereals. seeds and pulse
North and sandy, rocky crops.
upto Bihar and gravely
eastwards. habitat.
14 Mus booduga Throughout Found in crop Fossorial Omnivorous. Pest in
(Fam. Muridae) THE INDIAN India. fields especially and Adaptable to vegetables,
FIELD MOUSE irrigated fields. nocturnal. cultivated paddy and
crops. ground nul.
15 Rattus rattus Ali over India Mostly Nocturnal Omnivorous, Causes severe
(Farn. Muridae; Sub fam. and World. commensal and colonial. eating grains, damage to
Murlnae) THE HOUSE RAT living in houses, seeds, fruits, coconut, poultry,
godowns, tubers, stored diary, plggery,
stores, poultry, products, gpdowns, and
edges of crop bakery Items, warehouses.
fields, adjacent eggs, animal Nuisance to all
to villages, feed and establish ments
plantation crops even due to jts
especially coconut. gnawing activity.
coconut, open copra.
country, forests
and hills.

23
 Mus booduga Rattus rattus

Bandicota bengalensis Burrow of B. bengalensis

Bandicota indica Burrow of B. indica

 STATE WISE DISTRlBUI'ION Of' RODENTs

I. ANDHRA PRADESH
Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state in the country. Forty two percent of
. the geographical area of the state is being cultivated providing livelihood to 77 %
of the population and generating 60% of the income. Based on topography and
altitude the state is classified into Coastal Plain, Eastern Ghats and Peninsular
Plateau.

CLIMATE AND RAINFALL

The climate is predominantly semi arid to arid except coastal belt which is
humid to sub-humid. The four distinct seasons are summer (March-May), South-
west monsoon (rainy, June to September), North-east monsoon (October-December)
and winter (December to February). The average rainfall is 896mm ranging from
500mm to 1000mm. There are six soil types: red, black, alluvial, coastal sandy,
laterite and problem soils i.e. saline, salina-alkali, saline-alkaline.

MAJOR CROPS

Rice is the major crop followed by sorghum, maize, pearl millet, cotton and
chillies. Considerable quantities of finger millet, red gram, green gram, black gram,
Bengal gram, ground nut, gingilly and castor are also raised. There is significant
cultivation of horticultural crops that include mango, citrus, banana, guava, custard
apple and vegetable crops like coriander, turmeric, tomato, onion and tapioca. .

AGROCLIMATIC ZONES (Table 1: Fig. 1)

With not much variation in soil type and temperature, it is the amount and
distribution of rainfall that mainly determines the agro-climatic zones of Andhra
Pradesh. Based on these criteria, the state is divided into seven agro-climatic
zones namely (1) Krishna~Godavari zone (2) North coastal zone (3} Southern zone
(4) North Telangana zone (5) Southern Telangana zone (6) Scarce rainfall zone
(Rayalseema) and (7) High altitude and Tribal areas.

The physical characteristics, cropping system and major crops of each of the
zones are presented in Table 1 and are as follows:

1. KRISHNA GODAVARI ZONE: It comprises the entire districts of W.Godavari,

Krishna, Guntur, excluding upland talukas of East Godavari district, Kammam,
Nalagonda and Prakasam districts. The soil types are deltaic alluvium, red soils
with clay base (Alfisols), heavy, deep to very deep black cotton soil (Vertisols),
deep to very deep red loamy soil (Alfisols), coastal sands and saline soils. Rainfall
ranges 800~11 00 mm and 59% of the crop is irrigated. The predominant cropping

25
 LEE Gt::/'JO

.1. I<!:eJSHNA-GOl>A.VAR.1 ZONS

A ~. ks!l~9/cn~i~
a Nol't.TH CclAST'-,\t- ZONE • Nt. /;u:Jc::JdUfJ,Cl
,
:til SOt.;lTHE~N ~Z.ON.s _ MillGrdi~ M.'tada
-4 NORtH 76L.ANGANA 2<>/VE: • IQ.r,z.r-a..... indica
5 SOUTHERN TE!.LANGANA ZOAJe: (I) Rofl-ws I'"41-I-W'5
6 SCARce RAINFAL.L ZCNE '* W"'."lfIhJ II>~'
PREOoMINANT
!3PEC'IE.S
'7 HIGH ALT/TUOS !K TRIB-!'Ii.. AREAS

Fig. 1: Agroclimatic zones of Andhra Pradesh and distribution of ro(1ent species

system is rice based. Major crops are rice, cotton, black gram, green gram,
groundnut, fodder, tobacco, sugarcane, chillies, coconut and sesame.

2. NORTH COASTAL ZONE : This zone consists most parts of Srikakulam,

Vizianagaram, Visakapatnam districts and upland talukas of East Godavari district.
The soils are predominantly red with clay base (Alfisols). There are some pockets
of acidic laterite soils (Oxisols). Rainfall is in the range of 1000· 11 OOmm and 42 %
of the cropped area is under irrigation. Major cropping systems are based on rice,

26
sugarcane, groundnut, pearl millet and finger millet. As such the predominant
crops grown are rice, ground nut, pearl millet, mesta, finger millet, sugarcane,
sesame, horse gram, green gram and black gram.

3. SOUTHERN ZONE : It includes Nellore and Chittoore districts and southern

parts of Prakasham, Cuddapah and eastern parts of Ananthpur district. The
predominant soil group is shallow to moderately deep red loamy soil and -red earth
with loamy soil. Patches of moderately deep to deep black cotton soils are also
present. The range of rainfall is 700-1050mm with 43 % of cultivated area being
irrigated. The major cropping system is rice and groundnut based. The predominant
cultivated crops are rice, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet, red gram, finger millet
and horse gram.
-
4. NORTH TELANGANA ZONE: Entire districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad
and Medak except its southern border, Warrangal except its western portion,
North-eastern tip of Nalgonda and most parts of Khammam fall under this zone.
Red soils are predominant in this zone. The types include red earth with loamy sub
soil, red sandy soil, deep to very deep red loamy soil and deep to very deep black
cotton soil. Rainfall range is 900-1150mm and' only 24-60% of agriculture is under
irrigation.The predominant cropping system is sorghum, rice and maize based.
Major crops grown are sorghum, rice, maize, cotton, groundnut, red gram and
Bengal gram.

5. SOUTHERN TELANGANA ZONE: This zone consists of Hyderabad, Rangareddy

districts, Mahaboobnagar district except its southern border, Nalagonda district
except its eastern part, North~eastern and southern parts of Warangal. The soil is
predominantly red soil with loamy subsoil, red sandy, small areas in the west are
deep to deep black cotton soil. The rainfall range is 700-900mm and irrigated area
is 23.7% of the total cropped area. The main cropping system is sorghum, rice
and castor based. Major crops cultivated are sorghum,"'rice, castor, gfoundnut,
pearl millet, green gram, maize and sunflower.

6. SCARCE RAINFALL ZONE OF RAYAlSEEMA : It includes the districts of Kurnool,

Ananthpur except its south eastern part, western part of Prakasham, southern part
of Mahqboobnagar and north western parts of Cuddapah. The major soil types are
red earth with loamy sub-soil, red earth with clayey subsoil, red sandy soil, light,
moderate deep to deep black cotton and heavy, dee'p to very deep black cotton
soil. Rainfall is 500-750mm and only 15.7% of the area is irrigated. Predominant
cropping system is groundnut, sorghum, seteria, rice, cotton based. The major
crops grown are groundnut, sorghum, seteria, rice, cotton, coriander and pearl
millet.

7. HIGH ALTITUDE TRIBAL AREAS: This zone consists of the northern borders of
the Srikakulpm, Vizianagaram, Vishakapatnam, East Godavari and Khammam

27
Table 1: Agroclimatic zones and crops of Andhra Pradesh

Rodent
Cropping
Zone Districts & Taluks Soil type Rainfall
system
KRISHNA Dts of W.Godavari, Krishna, Deltaic 800- Rice based
GODAVARI Guntur, parts of East alluvium. 1100mm
ZONE. (59% Godavari, Kammam, Alfisols, Black
irrigated crops) Nalagonda & Prakasham cotton, ~ed
dts. loamy, Alluvial,
Coastal sandy.
NORTH Most parts of Srikakulam, Alfisols, acidic 1000- Paddy, Bb,Rrw
COASTAL Vizyanagaram, laterite 1100mm Sugarcane,
(42% irrigated) Visakhapatnam, Groundnut,
upland taluks of E.Godavari Pearl millet
m. and Finger
millet qased
SOUTHERN Dts. of Nellore, Chittor. Loamy 700- Rice and Mb,Bb
ZONE Southern parts of Inceptisols- 1050mm Groundnut
(43% irrigated) Prakasham Cuddapah, Alfisols, Black based
Eastern parts of Anantpur cotton
Dts.
NORTH Adilabad, Karimnagar, Red soil. Red 900- Sorghum,
TELANGANA Nizamabad Districts. sandy, Red 1150mm Paddy and
(24.6% irrigated) Parts of Medak, W arangal, loamy. Deep Maize
NA*
Nalagonda & Khammam red loamy, based
Dis. Black cotton,
Acidic laterite
SOUTHERN Dts. of Hyderabad, Red soil, Red 700- Sorghum,
TELANGANA Rangareddy. sandy - deep 900mm rice, castor
(23.7% irrigated) Mahaboobnagar except its black, cotton based.
southern border, Nalgonda soil. NA*
except its eastern border,
North-eastern and southern
parts of Warangal.
SCARCE Ananthpur Dt. except Its Red earth with 500- Groundnut, Bb, Mb,
RAINFALL ZONE southeastern part, Kurnool loamy subsoil, 750mm Sorghum, Ti&Mm
OF Dt. Western part of Red earth with Seteria,
RAYALSEEMA Prakasham Dt. clay subsoils, Paddy and
(15.7% irrigated) Southern part of Red sandy, cotton
Mahaboobnagar Dt. North- Black cotton. based
west part of Cuddapah Dt.
HIGH ALTITUDE Northern parts of NA Above Paddy and
& TRIBAL AREA Srikakulam, Vizyanagaram, 1400m Pearl millet
(13.3% irrigated) Visakhapatnam, East NA*
based.
Godavari and Khammam.

Ni\* " Not available

Bb : Bandicota bengalenses Rrw : Rattus rattus wronghtoni

Mb : Mus booduga Ti: Tatera Indica and Mm : Milfardia meftada

28
districts. Rainfall is above 1400mm. ,Cropping system is paddy and pearl millet
based. Only 1 3.3 % of the area is irrigated. Maj OJ crops cultivated are rice, pearl
millet, groundnut, finger millet, sesame, tuber crops, forestry and horticultural
crops.
PEST STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RODENTS
The cooperating centre of AICRP on Rodent control for Andhra Pradesh is
functioning at the Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru since 1986. The emphasis
of research is on rodent management in wet land paddy. Apart hom paddy data
Table 2: Rodent species distribution and composition in selected agro climatic ones of Andhra
Pradesh
Agroclimatic Associated Rodent
Place/ District Remarks
zone crop/crops species
KRISHNA- Godavari delta Irrigated rice Bb*, Mb
GODAVARI (Godavari dt.)
ZONE
Tenali, 8apatla Rice and rice Bb, Mb* Bb severe at
(Guntur dt.) fallow pulses maturity of rice
fallow black
gram
Central delta Coconut RIW,
(East Godavari dt.) plantations Bb, Bi, Ti, Mb
Coconut
nursery
Jangareddygudem Oil palm Bb
(West Godavari dt.)
NORTH - Uddanam Coconut RIW
COASTAL (Srikakulam dt.) plantations Bb
ZONE Rice Bb
SOUTHERN Nellore dt. Rice Bb*, Mb
ZONE Kalahasti (Chittoor dt.) Rice Bb, Mb*
SCARCE RAIN Nandyal (Kuroool dt.) Rice 8b*, Mb
FALL ZONE Chintalapatti & Medapuram Rice (Upland) Bb*, Mb, Ti,
(Anantapur dt.) Mm
Nandyal Groundnut, Mb ", Mm, Bb
(Kurnool dt.) Soybean,
Green gram,
Korra
= =
Bb Bandicota benga/ensis; Mb ::: Mus booduga; Rrw Rattus rattus wroughtoni;
= =
Ti Tatera indica; Bi = Bandicota indica; Mm Mil/ardia meltada
" Dominant species

29
Table 3 : Major pests and diseases of important crops of Andhra Pradesh

Crop Insect and other pests Diseases Rodent

pests
Rice Yellow rice borer, rice gall midge, plant hoppers, Rice blast, Sheath blight, Bb, Mb, Ti,
green leaf hoppers, leaf folder, rice hispa, gundi bacterial blight, stem rot, Mm
bug, nematodes, cut worms, leaf mite, panicle sheath fot, brown spot and
mite. false smut.
Millets Shoot fly, stem borer, ear head bug, aphids, Grain smuts, leaf diseases,
NA*
mites. downy mildew.
Pulses Pod borers, aphids, thrips. Fasarium wilt, powdery mildew, Mb, Mm,
leaf spots, rust. Bb
Sugar Shoot borers, cane fly, scale insects, white fly, Red rot, smut, grassy shoot
NA*
cane aphids, mealy bugs. wilt.
Coconut RIW, Bb,
Bi, Ti,Mb

NA * - Not available
8b = Bandicota bengalensis; Mb = Mus booduga; Rrw = Rattus rattus wroughtoni;
Ti ;:::; Taters indica; 8i ;:::; Bandicota indica; Mm = MilJardia meltada

has also been collected for fallow, pulses, coconut, oil palm, groundnut, soybean,
green gram and korra (Table 2; Fig. 1). Following is the cropwise distribution of
rodents in selected Agroclimatic zones of Andhra Pradesh.
(a) Rice (Tables 2 & 3): The rodent species affecting paddy yields were B.bengalensis
and M.booduga in Godavari and Guntur districts of Krishna·Godavari, Southern
zone and parts of scarce rainfall zone. Infestation of B.bengalensis wa's severe at
maturity of rice and fallow black gram. In North-coastal zone only B.benga/ensis
damaged rice. The diversity of species increased slightly in parts of scarce rainfall
area. In Kurnool district three species namely M.booduga, M.me/tada and
B.bengalensis occurred and in some other parts apart from these three, T.indica
also occurred.
(b) Coconut plantation and nursery (Table 2): The crop in central delta of Krishna-
Godavari zone were infested by five species of rodents. These were R.r. wroughtoni,
B.benga/ensis, B.indica, T.indica and M.booduga. However in North coastal zone
only ~wo species damaged coconut viz., R. rattus wroughtoni and B.bengalensis.
(c) Oil palm (Table 2): The crop in west Godavari district of Krishna-Godavari zone
was infested by B.bengaJensis.
(d) Groundnut, Soybean, Greengram and Karra (Table 21: These crops in Nandyal
district of scarce rainfall zone had three species of rodent pests namely
B.bengalensis, M.rne/tada and M.booduga.

30
CONCLUSIONS
The research on species of rodents damaging ~et land paddy has revealed
B.bengalensis and M.booduga as major damage causing species in four out of the
six agricultural zones of the state. In scarce rainfall area M.meltada and T. indica
too become pests. It will be interesting to know the species composition in the
two zones of Telangana. Floods occurred during August, 1986 followed by reported
major rodent out break in Rabi 1986-87. Another major out break of rodents
occurred in Rabi during 1996-97 and was attributed to cyclone in November 1996.
Minor out breaks of rodents are reported to occur every 2-4 years.

31
 II. ASSAM

Assam lies between 24° and 28° N latitudes and 89.5° and 96 0 E longitudes

LAND USE
Assam is divided into two distinct physiographic regions, the plains and the
hills. The plains are represented by the Brahmaputra valley and Barak valley while
the hilly area consists of a part of Barail and Meghalaya ranges. Soils of Assam
are classified as Recent Riverine, Old Riverine, Old Mountain, Non~laterized and
Laterized. Climate is characterised by hot & wet summers and dry & cool winters.
The four seasons are pre monsoon (March-May), monsoon (June-August), post
monsoon (September-November) and winter (December-February),
CROPPING SYSTEM
The state is by and large rain fed, rice based monocrop system. The three
major crops of Assam are rice, tea and jute. Rice is grown as deep water crop,
Bao; shallow water rice, Asra and rain fed autumn rice, Ahu. Sali is the transplanted
rice while Bora rice is grown during summer or spring. Apart from rice, maize,
millet and wheat are the other cereals cultivated. Black gra,m, moong, bean and
lentil are grown during rabi. Rape and mustard are tile oil seeds raised. Fruits
grown include pine apple, banana, mango, papaya, citrus, litchi, guava and
pomegranate. Coconut, areca nut and tea are the major plantation crops.

AGROCLIMATIC ZONES (Table 1; Fig. 1)

1. NORTH BANK PLAIN ZONE covers the north-eastern di~tricts of Lakhimpur 1

Sonitpur and Darang. The soil types of this zone are old alluvial along the foot
hills (Alfisols), old alluvial soils along old flood plains (Inceptisols) and new
alluvial soli (Entisols) in rE;lcent flood plains. The average rainfall is 2650mm and
the range is 1500-3000mm. The major crop is rice. PL!lses and oil seeds are
cultivated to a small extent. Horticultural crops include orange, pineapple, banana,
coconut and areca nut.
2. UPPER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE lies in the south western side of the
State includes the districts of Tinsukhia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat.
The zone is 'a rich source of oil and natural gas producing more than 80% of the
state's oil. Coal fields are also found in this zone. The rainfall range is 1200-
2347mm. Soils fall under the category of immature alluvium, mature ultisols and
recent riv.erine alluvial (Entisol). The main crops of the area are rice, wheat, black
gram, green gram, pea, lentil, potato, cucumber, colocasia, cole crops, rape,
mustard and sesame. The commercial crops are jute and tea grown in large tracts
of land and sugarcane. Horticultural crops are potato, orange, pineapple, banana,
coconut and areca nut.

32
3. CENTRAL BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE covers the district of Nawgong.
Rainfall range is 1200-2000mm. Soils are mainly immature Entisols and mature
Alfisols. Rice is the major crop. Oil seeds are grown extensively. Other important
crops are jute, pulses, wheat and vegetables.
4. LOWER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE lies in the eastern part of the state.
River Brahmaputra flows through this zone. The districts of Kokrajhar, Dhubri,
Goalpara, Barpeta, Nalbari Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur come under this zone. The
average rainfall is 1700mm. The soil types are Alfisols & Ultisols, Iceptisols &
Alfisols, and Entisols. The major crops are rice, millet, jute, wheat, pulses, potato
and oilseeds.
5. BARRACK VALLEY ZONE consists of Cachar and Karimganj districts. Flood is a
frequent phenomenon in this zone. Rainfall range is 65-2500mm. Not much is
known about ~he soil type. Based on limited sampling they seem to be similar to
that of Brahmaputra valley. The entire central alluvial tract is rice mono-cropped
area. Forest cover is 39%. Pine apple and sugarcane are the other crops.
6. HILL ZONE OF ASSAM comprises of Karbi Anglong and North Kachar hills.
North Kachar hills are steep and high. Karbi Anglong hills are undulating and less
high. Land in this hill area is classified as plain areas, hills with mild slopes and
hills with steep slopes. Annual rainfall varies from 1 OOO~2000mm. Soils are generally
laterite, red loam and old alluvial. Rice is the most cultivated crop. Other crops
include rapeseed, mustard, maize and sugarcane. Pineapple, banana, mango,
papaya, litchi, guava, pomegranate are cultivated. Coffee and rubber have been
introduced as plantation crops. Vegetables grown are mostly cole crops and
indigenous vegetables.

(fGLNP"
IIlI!lllll 1. Plain Zane
Nol:'th Ba1lk
~ 2. Upper n~p~tra Valley ZODe
central Brabmpntra Valley Zone.
Lower Bra~putra Valley Zon c •
Darak Valley Zon~.
_ 6. Hill Zol1e

Fig. 1 Agro climatic tones of Assam

33
Table 1 : Agroclimatic zones, crop conditions and rodent pests of Assam
Rodent
Zone Dislrict/taluks Soil type Rainfall CI'opping system pests
(Species)
NORTH BANK Lakhimpur, Alfisols, 1500- Rice major crop,
PLAIN ZONE Sonitpur and Inceptisols 3000mm pulses, oil seeds and NA*
Darrang Dts. Entisols fruits
UPPER Tinsukhia, Ultisols 1200- Rice, wheat (winter), Bbb, Bii,
BRAHMAPUTRA Dibrugarh, Entisols 2347mm black gram, green Mmc, Rr,
VALLEY ZONE Sibsagar, Jorhat gram, pea, lentil, Rs, Rn, 01
and Golaghat potato, cucumber,
districts cole crops,
sugarcane, oil seeds
CENTRAL Nawgong Entisols, 1200- Rice major crop.
BRAHMAPTURA Alfisols 2000mm Oilseeds extensively
VALLEY ZONE grown. Jute, pulses, NA*
wheat and
vegetables
LOWER Districts of Alfisols 1700mm Rice, millets, jute,
BRAHMAPUTRA Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Ultisols (alfisols) wheat, pulses,
VALLEY ZONE Goalpura, Barpeta, Iceptisols potato, oil seeds. NA*
Nalbari Kamrup & Entisols
Pragjyothishpur
BARRACK Kacharand Not much 65- Rice mono cropping.
VALLEY ZONE Karimganj districts known. Seem 2500mm Pine apple &
to be similar sugarcane. Forest
NA*
to that of cover 39%
Brahmaputra
valley
Hill ZONE OF Karbi Anglong and Laterite 1000- Rice most cultivated.
ASSAM North Kachar hills Red loam 2000mm Rape seed, mustard,
NA*
Old alluvial maize, sugarcane,
fruits, coffee, rubber
NA* - Not available

Bbb : B. bengalensis bengafensis Bii: B. indica indica Mmc .. Mus musulus castanells
Rr : Rattus rattus Rs: R. sikkimensis Rn .. R. nitidus DJ: Dremnomys lokriah
PEST STATUS OF RODENTS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN ASSAM
(a) Rice (Table 2): Amongst the four types of rice, namely Sa/i, Ahu, 80ro and 8ao,
least damage was seen in Bora variety i.e. 1.99-5.39% and the species infesting
were B. bengalensis and M.booduga. Ahu paddy was damaged in the range of
3.58 to 7.47%. Sali paddy was damaged in the range of 8.89 to 11,13% and had
four species of rodents infesting the fields. They were B.bengalensis> 8. indica >
M.booduga> R.sikkimensis. The mean yield loss was 3.17%. In addition 1.4 kg
material was hoarded/burrow (Anon, 2004a).

34
(b) Areca nut, fruits and vegetables (Table 3): Damage to areca nut as estimated by
dropped nuts was 40.84% and was caused by the squirrel, Dremnomys fokriah. The ripe
fruits of pummeJo (Citrus maxima) were damaged byD./okriah upto 40.12%. Amongst
vegetablesB.bengalensis caused 2.71 to 5.94% damage to pea and 5.3 to 7.91 % damage
to potato. There was no rodent damage to brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol and tomato.
Ie) Species composition of rodents in fieJds around Jorhat (upper Brahmaputra valley
zone) (Anon, 2003): Nine species belonging to family muridae namely Bandicota bengalensis
bengalensis (Gray), Bandicota indica indica (Bechstein), Mus ,musculus castaneus
(Waterhouse), Mus booduga, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus), R.sikkimensis (Hinton), R.norvegicus
and Dremomys lokriah (Thomas) (Family Sciuridae) and one more unidentified species
belonging to family sciuridae were reported from fields around Jorhat. Their relative
abundance wasB.bengalensis (33.42%» R.rattus(22.5%) > M.musculus (11.5%»
D. I. macmillani (9.2 %) > R.sikkimensis (7.4 %) > B.indica indica j6. 9%) > M.booduga (6.4%) >
R.norvegicus (2.8%).
(d) Species composition of rodents infesting bamboo plantations in Manipur 2002·
2003 (Anon, 2003) : Predominant species are White bellied rat, Rattus rattu$
bullocki, Manipur rat, Rattus manipu/us, Indian mole rat, Bandicota' bengalensis,
and larger bandicoot rat, Bandicota indica. Other species found in Manipur are
Rattus rattus bruneusculus, Rattus rattus tistae, Vande/euda oleracea, Rattus
bowers;, Hadromys humel, Mus cervic%r, Mus famulus cookie, Diomys crump;,
Cannomys badius badius and Rhizomys pruinosus.

Table 2: Rodent damage to paddy during 2002·03IANON, 2004a)

Paddy variety Damage (% cut tillers range) Radent species

Salipaddy 8.89 to 11.13 Bb>Bi>Mb>Rs
Ahu paddy 3.58 to 7.47 NA*
Boro paddy 1.99 to 5.39 Bb>Mb
Bao paddy 11.91 to 20.59 NA~

3.17% YL
1.4kg/hoarded/burrow
NA* • Not avaiiabJe
Db : Band;cota benga/ens;s, Hi: Bandicota indica, Mb : Mus booduga, Rs : Rattus s;kkjmensis

Table 3: Rodent damage to crops other than paddy (ANON, 2003 & 2004al

Crop Damage (%) range Species Infestation rate

(burrows/ha. )
Areca nut 40.84% D.Jokriah NA"
(dropping nuts)
Pummelo (Citrus 40.12% D./okrfah NA*
maxima) (Ripe fruit eaten)
Pea 2.71 to 5.94 B.benga/ens/s 4.32
Potato 5.3 to 7.91 B,bengalensis 3,95
NA* - Not available

35
(e) Species composition of rodents in different habitats (Table 4): The predominant
species in houses and rural stores were R.rattus; M.musculus and B.bengalensis.
Godowns in urban areas were infested by B.bengalensis predominantly followed
by R.rattus, R.norvegicus and M.musculus. Paddy fields and orchards had
B.benga/ensis as the major pest followed by M.booduga or D.lokriah (orchards).
B.indica occurred in considerable proportion in these two habitats. Forests had
only three species of rodents. They were D.lokriah > B.bengalensis > 8.indica.

Table 4: Species composition of rodents in different habitats of Jorhat district, Assam during 2003·04
(ANON, 2004a)
Habitat Rodent species composition (% of total population)
Houses R.rattus (35.56%» B.bengalensis (25.56%» Mm.castaneus (24,44%»R.sikkimensis
(14.44%)
Stores (rural) R.rattus (41.86%):> Mm.castaneus (30.23%» B.benga/ensis (18.6%» D./okraiah
(9.3%).
Godowns (urban) a.bengalensis (42:37%» R.rattus (22.03%» R.norvegicus (18.64%) >M.m.cataneus
(16.95%) .
Kitchen garden a.benge/ensis (41.17%»R.ratttus (29.41%» D.lokrlah (15.69%»M.booduga (13.73%).
Paddy fields B.bengalensis (43.75%»M.booduga (25.8%» B.indica (18.75%» R.sikklmensis
(1~.5%).
Orchards B.bengalensis (31.03%»D./okriah (18.97%» R.rattus (17.24%» B.indica (15.51%»
Mbooduga (3.45%).
Forest areas D.lokriah (48.15%» a.benge/ensis (29.63%» B.indica (22.22%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the centre was set up in 2002, considerable data has been collected
from around jorhat. B.bengEJ/ensis, M.booduga and B.indica were major pests of
paddy, B.bengafensis damaged vegetables while the squirrel, D.lokraiah was a
menace in orchards and forests. R.rattus, 8.bengalensis, M.musculus and
R.norveg;cus were the predominant commensals. The bamboo plantations were
infested by B.b.bengalensis (Gray), B.i.indica (Bechstein), R.r.bul/ock and
R.manipuJus. B.indica, M.m.castaneus (Waterhouse) M.booduga, R,rattus
(Linnaeus), R. sikkimensis (Hinton), R. norvegicus (Berkentiout), D.I.manmillari
(Thomas) (Family Sciuridae) and one more unidentified species belonging to family
sciuridae were reported from fields around Jorhat. Their relative abundance was
B.bengalensis (33.42%» R.rattus (22.5%» M.musculus (11.5%» D.l.macmillan;
(9.2%) > R.sikkimensis (7.4%) > a.i.indica (6.9%) > M.booduga (6.4%) >
R.norvegicus (2.8%),

36
 III. GUJARAT
Situated in, the west coast of India, Gujarat is spread over 196 lakh square
km forming 6% of the county's landmass. The state is largely agrarian. The
Soils of Gujarat belong to nine types namely, 1.Black soils, 2. Mixed red and black
soils, 3. Residual sandy soils, 4. Alluvial soils, 5. Saline-alkaline soils, 6. Desert
soils, 7. Laterite soils, 8. Hilly soils and 9. Forest soils.

CLIMATE

The extreme north region of the state has arid climate, the extreme south
has sub-humid climate and rest of state has semi-arid climate. Rainfall is an
average of 300mm in the western Kutch region and 1500mm average in the southern
part. Monsoon is received during June-September. Temperature ranges from 12.5°c
in January to 39.9°c in May. October is also quite hot. Nearly 50% of the land is
cultivated of which 22.3% is irrigated, mostly by wells followed by canals. Tanks
irrigate less than 2% area.

CROPS

The major crop of Gujarat is ground nut. Tile important cereals are baira,
sorghum, wheat. Pulses like green gram, pigeon pea, cowpea, bean and gram are
grown to a small extent. Amongst commercial crops cotton and sugarcane are
important. Coconut cultivation is restricted to Saurashtra region, so also vegetables.
Very few vegetables are, .grown mostly brinjal and potato. Total cereals occupy
about 38%, pulses 7% and oil seeds 24% of the gross cropped area. Other crops
are grown in about 18% of the cultivated area.

AGROCLIMATIC ZONES (Table 1, Fig. 1)

There are eight agro-climatic Zones namely: South-Gujarat Heavy Rainfall

Zone, South-Gujarat Zone, Middle Gujarat Zone, North Gujarat Zone, North-west
Zone, North Saurashtra Zone, South Saurashtra Zone and Shal and Coastal Zone.
The physiographical features and crops of each zone are outlined below:

1. SOUTH GUJARAT HEAVY RAINFALL ZONE: This zone receives intensive rainfall
ranging 1500-2200 mm mostly in the months of July and August. It is further
divided into the Hilly and Non-hilly areas. The Hilly areas consist of the district of
Dang and hilly areas of Valsad district with elevation varying from 106 to 1311 m.
The soil is clay, shallow and composed of fragmented rocks. The crops grown are
Negli (ragi) (Eleusine coracana), Kodra (Paspalum scrobiculatumj, .ganti (£chinochloa
stagnina), Wari (Panicum miliare) and Cheno (Panicum miliaeceum), rice, arhar,
tubers and vegetables. The Non-hilly area comprises the plains of Valod district
Valsad, Vyara, Songadh and Mahuva taluka of Surat district. Rainfall ranging

37
 BEF. AGFlOCLlMATIO ZONe
SOUTH GUJI'.I'tAT
HEAVY RAINI"ALL AREA
II SOUTH GUJAf:lAT
III MIDDLE GUJAAAT
IV NORTH GUJARAT
DRY REGION
V NORTH-WEST ARID ZONE!
VI NORTH SAURASHTRA
VII SOUTH SAURASHTRA
VIII BHl'l AND COI'STAl I'REA

PREOOM INANT SPECIE'S

B.b. ~ liianef/COIs bonga/.ms/s, T.i.I •• Tata,.. /neI/es/ndlea, M.m.m. ~ Mi//Dr~H8 molta(la melloda, M.h. M Morlo"Els hUI'f'I'I""1J

Fig. 1 Distribution of major rodent species in different Agroclimatic

. zones of Gujarat state

1 OOO~ 1500mm is ret;:9iived during monsoon months. The soils are deep black and
lie in the command area of Ukai, Kakrapura and Damanganga irrigation projects.
Rice is the major cr r p with rabi cultivation of beans, wheat, gram, urad etc. Other
crops grown are cotton, banana, mango, coconut, sapota etc.

The crop rotation followed is ragi-tur (finger millet-red grar:n) and black gram-
tur in hilly areas while sugarcane-rice and rice-beans is the principal crop rotation
in non-hilly areas,

2. SOUTH GUJARAT ZONE: It covers Navsari, Gandevi talukas of Valsad district,

Karnrej, Chari as hi, Nizai, Palsana, Bardoli, Mangroi and Mandvi talukas of Surat
district and Ankleshwar, Valia, Jaghadia, Nanded, Oekdopada and Sagabara talukas
of Bharuch district. Rainfall is medium at 1000-1500mm occurring during June-
September. Soil is black, medium, heavy. Seventy five per cent of the area is rain
fed. The principal crops are rice, sorghum, ragi, groundnut, sugarcane and pigeon
pea. To a lesser extent kodra, cotton, chillies, gram and other pulses are grown.
The crop rotation adapted is cotton, sorghum, paddy-beans, cotton-banana and
sorghum- tur (red gram).

3. MIDDLE GUJARAT ZONE: The entire district of Panchamahal and Vadodra,

Bharuch, Amod and Jambusar talukas of Bharuch district and part of Kheda district
fall under this zone. Rainfall varies from 800-1000mm. The soil is sandy loamy,
clay loam and clay. The major crops are rice, cotton, maize, pearl millet, tobacco,
wheat, sorghum and groundnut. Minor crops include sesame, castor and chickpea.
To some extent rape, mustard, potato and fruits like mango, papaya, banana and
vegefables are grown. '

38
4. NORTH GUJARAT ZONE: This zone covers the district of Kheda except part of
Camby, Matar talukas, entire Sabarkantha district, Mehsana district excluding
Sami and Harij talukas, Oehgam, Oaskroi and Sanand talukas of Ahmedabad. The
region is arid and semiarid with erratic rainfall in the range of 500-10 14mm. The
soils of this zone are broadly classified into six groups namely medium black,
alluvial sandy to sandy loam, alluvial sandy loam to sandy clay loam, hilly soils,
residual sandy soils and saline alkaline soils. The major crops cultivated are pearl
millet, cotton, sorghum, maize, castor, pulses, wheat, rape and mustard. The
minor crops grown are rice, groundnut, sesame, gram and cumin.
5. NORTH WEST ZONE: The area under this zone comprises of Malia taluka of
Rajkot, Halwad, Dhrangahdhra, Dasada talukas of Surendranagar, Sami, Harij,
Chanasma talukas of Mehsar:a' district, Santalpur, Radhanpur, Kankeraj, Diodar,
Vav, Tharad talukas of Ban,askantha district and Viramgram taluka of Ahmedabad
district. Rainfall is scanty varying from 250-500mm. Soil type is residual sandy and
alluvial sandy. Major crops 9rown are pearl millet, sorghum, groundnut, cotton
and pulses. To a lesser extent sesame, castor and wheat are also cultivated.
Cultivation of rice, barley and gram is there but insignificant.
6. NORTH SAURASHTRA ZONE: This zone is constituted by entire Jamnagar district,
Paddhari, Lodhika, Jasdam, Rajkot, Vakaner and Morvi talukas of Rajkot district,
Ghadhada, Umrala Botad talukas of Bhavanagar district. Agriculture is dependent
on 500-725 mm of southwest monsoon, which is erratic. Soil is medium black,
residual sandy and coastal saline type. Groundnut is the principal crop being
cultivated in more than 50% of the cropped area. Other important crops are
cotton, pearl millet and sorghum. Cultivation of castor and pulses is minimal.
7. SOUTH SAURASHTRA ZONE: Entire Junagadh district, Shihor, Ghogha, Gariadhar,
Palitana, Talaja, Mahuva, Savarkundla talukas of Bhavnagar district, Dhari, Kodinar,
Rajula, Jafrabad, Khambha" Amreli, Sabra, Liliya, Lathi, Kukarav talukas of Amreli
district, Jetpur, Gondal, Dhoraji and Upleta talukas of Rajkot district come under
this zone. Rainfall varies from 500~970mm. The soil types are: medium black,
shallow black, mixed red, black and coastal alluvial. Groundnut is cultivated in
65% of the area under cropping. The other major crops are pearl millet, wheat,
sorghum, sugarcane, cotton and gram. Rice, maize, rape & mustard and pulses are
cultivated in small areas. The economy of this region mainly depends on groundnut.
8. BHAl AND COASTAL ZONE: The zone comprises of Olpad taluka of Surat
district, Harisot and Wagra talukas of Bharuch district, Cambay taluka of Kheda
district, Dhokla, Dhanduka talukas of Ahmedabad district, Vallabhipur, Bhavnagar
talukas of Bhavanagar district and Limdi taluka of Surendranagar district. The
rainfall range is 550-758mm. Soil is medium black, coastal alluvial and saline
alkaline. The major crops are rain fed wheat, cotton, sorghum, and gram. Small
amounts of paddy and groundnut are also cultivated.

39
Table 1: Details of Agroclimatic zonef. and crop conditions in Gujarat
Rainfall Rodent
Zone Districts and Taluks Soil type Crops pest
(mm)
s ecies
SOUTH Dang Dt., '-(alsad Dt. except Navasan Deep black, 1500- Rice, Sorghum,
GUJARAT & Gondevi tlks & Valod, Vyara, Patches of 2200 Ragl, Pigeon pea,
HEAVY RAIN Songadh & Mahuva II ks of Surat Dt. coastal Jul.- Groundnut,
FALL AREA alluvial, Aug. Sugarcane. NN
(canal & well Laterite &
irrigated) Med. black.

SOUTH Navasari & Gondevi Ilks of Val sad, Black medium, 1000- Sorghum, Rice,
GUJARAT Karnrej, Chorlashi, Nlzai, Palsana, Heavy clayey 1500 Ragi, Groundnut,
(canal & well Bardoli, Mangro, Mandvi tlks of June- Sugarcane &
irrigated) Surat, Ankleshwar, Valla, Jaghadia, Sept. Pigeon Pea. NA'
Nanded, Dekdopada and
Sagabara tlks of Bharuch Dt.
MIDDLE Entire Panchamahal and Sandy loam, aoo- Rice, Cotton,
GUJARAT (canal Vadadora Dt., Bharuch, Amod & Clay loam, 1000 Maize, Pearl
& well irrigated) Jambusar tlks of Bharuch Dt. and Clay. millet, Tobacco, NA*
Parts of Kheda Dt. Wheat, Sorghum
and Groundnut.

NORTH Whole of Kheda dt. except part of Med. Black, 500- Pearl Millet, Ti, Mh,
GUJARAT ZONE Camby & Matar tlks. Whole of Alluvial, sandy 840 Sorghum, Bb, Mm
(rainfed) Sabarkantha Ot., Oehgam, DeskrOi & to Sandy loam, Maize,
Sanand Ilks of Ahmedabad., Deesa, Alluvial Sandy Groundnut,
Dhanera, Palanpura, Danta & loam to sandy Cotton, Pulses,
Vadgam taluks of Banaskantha Dt., clay loam, Hilly Castor, Wheat,
Whole of Mehsana Ot. except Sami & soil, Residual Rape & Muslard
Hari] tlkr sandy soil.
NORTH WEST Malia tlk of Rajkot Dt., Halvad, Residual 300- Pearl millet, Mh, Ti
ARID ZONE Ohangahdhara & Dasada taluks of sandy, 640 Sorghum,
(rainfed) Surendranagar Dt., Sami, Harlj & Alluvial sandy. Groundnut,
Chanasma tlks of Mehsana Dt., Cotton, Pulses.
Santalpur, Radl1anpur, Kankeraj,
Diodar, Vav and Tharad Ilks of
Banaskantha Dt., Vlramgram Uk of
Ahmedabad Dt.
NORTH Whole of Jamnagar Dt., Paddhari, Med. Black, 500- Groundnul, Ti, Mh,
SAURASHTRA Lodhlka, Jasdan, Rajkot, Vakaner & Residual 725 Cotton, Pearl- Bb, Mm,
ZONE (rainfed, MONI Ilks of Rajkot dt., Gadhada, Sandy, millet, Sorghum. Rr
well irrigaled) Umrala & Botad Ilks of Saurashtra Coaslal-sallne.
Dt.
SOUTH Entire Junagadh Dt., Shlhor, Med. Black, 500- Groundnul, Pearl, Bb, Mm,
SAURASHTRA Ghogha, Garladhar, Palilana, Shallow black, 970 millet, Wheat, TI
ZONE (rainred, Talaja, Mahuva & Savarkundla Ilks Mixed red, Sorghum,
well & very little of Bhavnagar Dt., Dheri, Kodinar, Slack Sugarcane,
canal irrigation) Rajula, Jafrabad, Khambha, Amreh, Coastal Cotton, Gram.
Sabra, Llliya, Kukarav tlks of Amreli alluvial.
Dt., Jetpur, Gondal, Dhoraji &
Uplela Ilks of Rajkol Dt.
BHAL& Olpad laluk of Sural Dt., Hansol & Mad. Black, 550- Rice, Pearl millet, TI, Bb,
COASTAL AREA Wagra Ilks of Bharuch Dt., Cambay Coastal- 758 Cotton, Sorghum, Mm
(rainfed) tlk of Kheda Ot., Dholkla & alluvial, Saline- Wheat.
Dhanduka tlks of Ahmedabad Dt" alk.. lt.
Vallabhlpur & Bhavnagar Ilks of
Bhavanagar &LImdi Uk of
Surendranasar DI.
NA'-Not available

40
PEST STATUS OF RODENTS AND DAMAGE TO CULTIVATED CROPS (Tables 2 &
3)
Studies under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control
from 1988-2002 revealed the following extent of damage to standing crops by
rod'8nt pests: Groundnut: 4-12%, Cotton: 0-6%, Bajra: 3-12%, Sorghum: 4-11%,
Pulses: 4-11 %, Wheat: 3-21 %, Coconut: 0-11 %, Brinjal: .4-10%, Potato: 0-7%,
Tomato: 0-18%, Cucurbits: 5-10%, Carrot: 9-11 %, Sweet potato: 3-9%, Lucern:
3-16% and chilly: 2-6%.

A comparison of crop losses to insects, diseases and rodents (Table 2) indicates

that insects and diseases are more damaging than rodents in groundnut, cotton,
bajra, sorghum, pulses, coconuts, sugarcane and vegetables. The extent of rodent
damage outweighed that of diseases in bajra, pulses, coconut and brinjal. Rodents
caused more yield loss than insects and diseases put together in wheat.
THE CROPWISE INFESTATION OF RODENTS IN GUJARAT IS AS FOLLOWS
(a) Groundnut: Groundnut is cultivated during kharif in South and north Saurashtra,
Bhal & Coastal zone and North Gujarat dry zone. Only in South Saurashtra summer
groundnut was grown. The range of rodent damage was 4-12 except during 1975-
76 and 1989-90 when there was an explosion in rodent population. The intensity
of rodent damage in field crops increased fr-om kharif 1988 to rabi 1989-90 and
reached as much as 85.42% in an isolated groundnut field surrounded by barrenl
fallow land during the summer of 1989. Because of the heavy damage due to
rodents j'n rabi crops of 1989-90, farmers avoided sowing summer groundnut
during 1990 in most of the groundnut growing areas of Saurashtra region.
B.bengalensis was the major species damaging groundnut in most of South and
North Saurashtra followed by M.meltada in both kharif and summer. In some
talukas T.indica was the major or second most abundant species. The same
predominance of T.indica was seen in Shal and coastal as well as North Gujarat
Dry zones. M.-hurriane was seen only in north Gujarat dry zone. .
(b) Bajra: It is cultivated in South and North Saurashtra as well as in Bhal and
Coastal area. B.bengalensis was the major pest followed by T.indica and M.meltada
in South Saurashtra. Sometimes T.indica emerged as the predominant species.
The same trend was seen in North Saurashtra. However in Bhal and coastal zone
T.indica was the malor species followed by lesser bandicoots and metads.
(c) Sorghum: In South and North Saurashtra B.benga/ensis was the major species
followed by metads or gerbils. However in some talukas gerbils were the most
abundant species followed by I:fandicoots and metads. Similar species composition
was seen in Shal and Coastal areas, as well as North Gujarat Dry Zone.
(d) Wheat: The crop grown during rabi in South and North Saurashtra, Bhal and
Coastal zone, during summer in North Saurashtra. Lesser bandicoot was the major
pest. In some talukas gerbils were predominant and few metads were found more
than the other two species.

41
Table 2 : Major crop depredators and diseases of crops in Gujarat

Insects Pathogens Rodents

SI. % Dam.
Crops (%) Category (%) Diseases Species
No.
Dam. Dam.
Groundnut 15-30 Aphid, Jassid, 15-20 Tikka, Stem rot 4-12 Bb, Ti, Mm, Mh
Spodoptera
Helicoverpa, Whitegrub
2 Cotton 10-25 Aphid, Jassid, 5-15 Bacterial blight, 0-6 Bb, Ti, Mm, Mh
Spotted bollworm, Wilt and root wilt
Spodoptera,
Helicoverpa
3 Bajra 10-20 Shoot fly, stem bores 5-10 Downey mildew 3-12 Bb, Ti, Mm
Ergot
4 Sorghum 10-25 Stem borer 5-8 Sugary disease, 4-11 Bb, Ti, Mm, Mh
Head mold
5 Pulses 15-30 Pod borer 3~5 Wilt root rot 4-11 Bb, Ti, Mm, Mh
6 Wheat 5-8 Helicovetpa 5-8 Leaf blight 3-21 Bb, Ti, Mm
7 Coconut 10-40 Leaf eating caterpiller 5-7 Bud rot 0-11 Rr
8 Brinjal 15-25 Shoot and fruit borer 2-3 Root rot 4-10 Bb, Mm, Ti
9 Potato 10-20 Tuber moth 5-15 Early blight, 0-7 Ti, Mh, Bb, Mm
Tuber skin spot
10 Sugarcane 15-30 Stemborer, scale 10-15 Wilt 0-7 Bb, Ti, Mm
insect, whitefly
11 Tomato 6-18 Bb>Mm>Ti
12 Cucurbits 5-10 Bb>Mm>Ti
Ti>Mh>Bb>Mm
13 Carrot 9-11 Bb>Mm>Ti
14 Sweet 3-9 Bb>Mm>Ti
potato
15 Lucern 3·16 Bb>Ti>Mm
16 Chilli 2-6 Bb>Mm>Ti

(e) Pulses: The pulses are cultivated during all the three seasons in a year i.e.
kharif, rabi and summer in South Saurashtra only. B.bengalensis was the major
species except in few talukas where T.indica was more in numbers. The other'
noticeable species was M.meltada. In North Saurashtra and Shal and Coastal
areas pulses were grown only during rabi. B.bengalensis, T.indica and M.meltada
infested these tields with bandicoots dominant in some talukas, gerbils in some
other talukas and metads in still other talukas. I'n North Gujarat Dry Zone pulses
were raised only in kharit. The desert gerbil Meriones hurriane was seen together
with the Indian gerbil, T.indica. The two gerbil species were predominant in this
zone followed by lesser bandicoots and metads.
(f) Sugarcane: It is cultivated during kharif and rabi in North and South Saurashtra,
in Bhal and Coastal zone and North West Arid Zone. B.bengalensis was the major

42
Table 3 : Rodent damage to major crops in Gujarat and species involved

CroQ Zone Kharif Rabi Summer

% Rodent Sp. % Rodent Sp. % Rodentsp.
Dam Composition Dam Composition. Dam. composition
{range} (range) (range)
Groundnut S. Saurashtra 4-7 8b>Mm>T; 3-12 8b>Mm>Ti
8b>Ti>Mm Ti>8b>Mm
Ti>Bb>Mm
N. Saurashtra 4-10 -do-
Bhal& 6-12 Ti>Bb>Mm
Coastal
N.Gujarat Dry 4-5 Ti>Mh>Bb>Mm
Bajra S. Saurashtra 3-12 8b>Mm>T; 2-5 Bb>Mm>Ti 2-5 Bb>Mm>Ti
Bb>Ti>Mm Bb>Ti>Mm Ti>Bb>Mm
Ti>Bb;;.Mm Ti>Bb>Mm
N. Saurashtra 4-10 -do-
Bhal& 4-11 Ti>Bb>Mm
Coastal
Sorghum S. Saurashtra 4-11 Bb>Mm>T; 4-7 Bb>Mm;;.Ti
Bb>Ti>Mm Bb>Ti>Mm
Ti>Bb>Mm Ti>Bb>Mm
N. Saurashtra 3-11 -do-
Bhal& 0-9 Ti>Bb>Mm
Coastal
N.Gujarat Dry 4-5 Ti>Mh>Bb>Mm
Wheat S. Saurashtra 3-21 Bb>Mm>Ti
Bb>Ti>Mm
Ti>Bb>Mm
N. Saurashtra 2-11 Bb>Mm>Ti 0-5 Bb>Ti
Ti>Bb>Mm
Mm>Bb
Bhal& 4-5 Bb>Ti>Mm
Coastal
Pulses S. Saurashtra 4-8 Bb>Mm>Ti 5-9 Bb>Mm>Ti 4-6' Bb>Mm>Ti
Bb>Ti>Mm Bb>Ti>Mm Ti>Bb>Mm
Ti>Bb>Mm Ti>8b>Mm
N. Saurashtra 2-11 Bb>Mm>Ti 0·5 Bb>Ti
Ti>Bb>Mm
Mm>Bb
Shal & 4-6 Bb>Ti>Mm
Coastal
N.Gujarat Dry 0-5 Ti>Mh>Bb>Mm
Sugarcane S. Saurashtra 5-7 Bb>Mm>Ti 6-8 Bb>Mm>Ti
Bb>Ti>Mm Bb>Ti>Mm
Ti>Bb>Mm Ti>8/J>Mm
N. Saurashtra 0-5 Bb>Mm>Ti
Ti>Bb>Mm
Mm>Bb
Bhal & 0-5 Bb>Ti>Mm
Coastal
North west 0-5 Mh>Ti>T1
arid Ti>Mm>Bb
Bb>Ti>Mm

43
 Crop Zone Kharif Rabi Summer
% Rodent Sp. % Rodent Sp. % Rodent sp.
Dam Composition Dam CompositiO:~. Dam. composition
(range} (range) (range)

Cotton S. Saurashtra 4-6 Bb>Mm>Ti 2-6 Bb>Mm>Tt

Bb:>Ti>Mm Bb>Ti>Mm
Ti>8b>Mm Ti>8b>Mm
N. Saurashtra 3-6 -do- 2-6 Bb>Mm>Ti
Ti>8b>Mm
Mm>Bb
Bhal & 0-6 Ti>8b>Mm
Coastal Bb>Ti>Mm
N.Gujarat Dry 0-6 Ti>Bb>Mm
North west 3-5 Mh>Ti
arid Ti>Mm>Bb
Bb>Ti>Mm

Coconut S. Saurashtra 7-11 Rr 6-9 Rr

N. Saurashtra 0-6 Rr

VEGETABLES
Tomato S. SaLlrashtra 0-6 8b>Mm>Tf 9-18 Bb>Mm>Ti
Brinjal S. Saurashtra 5·10 Bb>Mm>Ti 4-5 -do-
Chilly S. Saurashtra 4-6 8b>Mm>Ti 3-12 -do-
N. Saurashtra 2·5 Bb>Mm>Ti 0-6 Bb>Ti>Mm

Cucurbits S. Saurashtra 5-10 Bb>Mm>Ti

N.Gujarat Dry 5-6 Ti>Mh>Bb>Mm
Potato N.Gujarat Dry 0-7 Ti>Mh>Bb>
Mm
Carrot S. Saurashtra 9-11 Bb>Mm>Ti
Lucer S.Saurashtra 3-16 Bb>Ti>Mm
Sweet S.Saurashtra 3-9 Bb>Mm>Ti
olato

species except a few talukas where T.indica was predominant. M.meltada was
predominant in some parts of North Saurashtra. Only these three species were
found in Saurashtra and Coastal areas. But in North West dry zone two species of
gerbils namely M.hurrianae and T.indica were predominant except a few pockets
where B.bengalensis was more in numbers. M.me/tada also occurred but in
comparatively smaller numbers.
(g) Cotton : Cotton is cultivated during kharif and summer in South and North
Saurashtra, during kharif in Bhal and Coastal zone, during summer in North Gujarat
Dry and North West Arid zone. B.benga/ensis followed by metads/gerbils was the
species composition in all the zones except North West arid zone. In a few talukas
in these zones gerbil became predominant followed by lesser bandicoots/metads.
In North West arid zone M.hurriane and T.indica were dominant except in some
talukas where B.benga/ensis was predominant. The other species found occurring
was M.meltada.

44
Table 4: Relative abundance of rodent species in various crops grown in different agro-climatic
zones of Gujarat
Zone Crops Roden! species complex
NORTH GUJARAT DRY Groundnut, Sorghum, Pulses, T.indica>Mhurrianae>
ZONE Cucurbits, Potato. B.bengalensis>Mmeitada
NORTH WEST ARID Sugarcane, Cotton. M. hurrianse> T.indica
ZONE
NORTH SAURASHTRA Groundnut, Bajra, Sorghum, Wheat, T.indica>M.hurrianae>
ZONE Pulses, Sugarcane, Cotton, Chilly. B.bengalensis>M.meltada or
T.indica>B.bengalensis or
Coconut M.meltada>B.bengalensis
R.rattus
SOUTH SAURASHTRA Groundnut, Bajra, Sorghum, Pulses, B.bengalensis>M.meltada> T.indica
ZONE Sugarcane, Cotton, Wheat, Tomato,
Brinjal, Cucurbits, Carrot, Chilly and
Sweet potato.
Coconut R. rattus
BHAL & COASTAL ZONE Groundnut, Bajra, Sorghum, Cotton. T.indica>8.benga/ensis>
M.me/tada

(h) Coconut : The coconut plantations are raised only in South and North
Saurashtra: R.rattus was the only species infesting coconut fields.
(i) Vegetables: Tomato, brinjar and chilly were grown during kharif and rabi in
South Saurashtra while chilli was grown both during kharif and summer in North
Saurashtra. These crops and cucurbits in Saurashtra were infested by three species
of rodents whose order of occurrence was B. bengalensis > M. meltada > T.indica.
However the cucurbit fields in North Gujarat were predominantly infested by
T.indica and M.hurriane followed by lesser bandicoots and metads. The same
species complex of T. indica> M hurrianae> B. bengalensis > M. meltada was found
in the potato fields of North Gujarat. The species compOSition of B. bengalensis > M.
me/tada> T. indica was seen in carrot fields during rabi and sweet potato fields
during summer in South Saurashtra. The lucerne fields in South Saurashtra were
predominantly infested by B.benga/ensis followed by T.indica and M.me/tada.
Sweet potato grown during summer in South Saurashtra was infested by B.
benga/ensis> M. meltada> T. indica.
To sum up there are eight rodent species infesting the crop fields of Gujarat
(Fig. 1). Basically it is four combinations namely B.benga/ensis-M.meftada - T,indica,
T.indica - M.hurrianae - B.bengalensis - M.meltada, B.bengalensis- T.indica-M.meltada
and M.hurrianae- T.indica. R.rattus occurs as the sole species in coconut grown in
South and North Saurashtra. In parts of North Saurashtra B.bengalensis, T.indica
and M.meltada occur in two species composition specially in wheat, pulses,
sugarcane and cotton. A combination of gerbils i.e. M.hurrianae- T.;ndica is seen
only in sugarcane and cotton grown in North West arid lone. Most of the crops
grown in South and North Saurashtra, Bhal and Coastal zone, North Gujarat Dry

45
and North West arid zone have different combinations of B.bengalensis, T.indica,
and M.meltada. North Gujarat dry zone is distinct by harbouring two ·gerbil species
namely M.hurrianae and T.indica along with B.bengalensis and M.meltada in
groundnut, pulses, cucurbits and potato.
CONCLUSIONS
In the zones and crops studied both species of field mice namely, Mus
booduga and M.platythrix were absent. Similarly the hairy footed gerbils, Gerbil/us
gleadowii commonly found on sand dunes in western Rajasthan and the Indian
bush rat, and Golunda eliot; were not seen. It can be concluded that the
predominant rodent pests of Gujarat are B.bengalensis, M.meltada and T.indica.
Gerbils are predominant in arid and dry regions namely North West arid zone and
North Gujarat Dry Zone. R. rattus is restricted to coconut plantations.
So far data on species composition has been recorded for five out of the
eight zones namely, South Saurashtra, North Saurashtra, Bhal and Coastal zone,
North Gujarat dry zone and Northwest arid zone. Studies are to be carried out for
South Gujarat heavy rainfall zone, South Gujarat canal and well irrigated zone and
Middle Gujarat canal and well irrigated zone.

46
 IV. HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state with its altitude ranging from 350m to
6975m above mean sea· level (MSL). Geographically Himachal Pradesh is located
in the Himalayan Mountain between 30° 24' 40" Nand 30° 12' 40" N latitude and
75° 04' 55" E and 70° 04' 20" E longitude. Physiographically the state can be
divided into Greater Himalaya (altitude range 5000-6500m above MSL), Outer
Himalaya (average height of 6000m above MSL) and Lesser Himalaya (altitude
range 4000-5000m above MSL) lying between Greater Himalaya and Outer Himalaya.
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND AGRO CLIMATE
The state has extreme climates ranging from hot summer to cold winter.
Heavy snow fall characterizes northern high altitude ranges which often remain
under snow for about six months. In contrast the low hills of Una and Hamirpur
districts are warm with monthly maximum temperature of 37-38 D C and monthly
minimum around 10D C. Milder climate characterizes other parts of the state.
The average rainfall is 1150mm ranging 1500-1750mm in the outer Himalayas
and 750-1000 mm in the inner Himalayas. Rainfall is low in Lahaul-Spiti and
Kinnaur due to rain shadow effect. In fact Spiti is in cold desert tract, receiving
less than 50mm rainfall. Most of the rainfall is received during June to September
with occasional rains in winter.
LAND USE
Cropping intensity .is highest in Himachal Pradesh compared to other states
in the Western Himalayan tract. Maize and rice are important kharif crops while
wheat and barley are grown during rabi. Tropical and temperate fruits are extensively
grown. Apple is a dominant fruit crop forming 80 per cent of the total fruit
production of the state. The other temperate fruits grown are: peach, plum, apricot,
pear, almond and walnut. The state is known as the APPLE STATE OF INDIA. The
yield and returns of fruit crops is higher than cereal crops. As a result the agricultural
economy of the state is different from the other states and is dominated by
horticultural crops and forest products. Vegetable crops also contribute significantly
to the state's economy. These include all season vegetables like cabbage,
cauliflower, tomato, radish, peas, cucumber, capsicum etc. Seed production of
vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, radish and chicore are also significant. Potato
is an important cash crop of Himachal Pradesh being cultivated as summer crop
under long day conditions at 1500~2700m above MSL and in the cold desert areas
at an elevation of 3000m and above. Around two-thirds of potato cultivated is tor
seed production. Forest is also a good source of income providing timber, fuel,
fodder etc. in addition to conserving soil and maintaining ecological balanc~.
Wheat and maize are the important cereals followed by rice. Rice and wheat are
largely irrigated.

47
CROPPING SYSTEMS
The popular cropping system is a two year rotation of potato-wheat-maize-
fallow in the districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kulu and Sirmour. In Kinnaur the rotation
is potato-buck wheat-French bean-gram-barley. In Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una and Solan,
rice-wheat, maize-wheat, potato-wheat, potato-potato is the crop rotation pattern.
Cabbage cultivation has increased tremendously, often replacing maize.

AGRO CLIMATIC ZONES

Based on altitude, temperature, soil type and cropping sequence, the state
is divided into four Agroclimatic zones (Fig. 1 and Table 1).
1. SUB TROPICAL. SUB-MONTANE AND LOW HILLS (Upto 614m above MSL):
Districts Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and parts of Sirmour, Solan, Kangra and Chamba
come under this zone. Soil is shallow, light textured and low in fertility. The
seven different farming systems are: rainfed hilly tract, fainfed valley tract, irrigated
valley tract, irrigated hilly tract, water logged area, sandy soil tract and flood

Hli\-L\.O-IAI. PHAOESli

e ;t,onc·lJ: Sub ,.mp'''''''. ,ul> humJd ~ bilk (915-15~~ til .bOf<: ""I)
• lOu<rlll , W.' "mp.r.(, hleh hm. 1l'14-;l471 m •• uv._m$l)
o Zull.·IY: Ory ,cmperR" high hills & cold d ..," (mOf< Ilia" 1A72 m Ibm,. .,,1)

Fig. 1: Agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh

48
Table 1 : Agroclimatic zones and crop conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Distncts & Rainfall Rodent pests

Zone Soli type Attitude Crops
Taluks (mm) (species)
SUBTROPICAL Una, Shallow, 1100mm(av) 614m Rice, Wheat, Bb, Rr
SUB-MONTANE Bilaspur, light (July-Sept) and Sugarcane, (commensal),
AND LOW HILLS Hamlrpur textured, above Citrus, Mango, Ge, Mm, Mb,
Dts and loamy msl Litchi, Guava, Mp, Fp, Hi, TJ.
parts of sand to deciduous
Sirmour, sandy forest,
Solan, loam. Vegetables,
Kangra and Oilseeds,
Chamba Barley.
dts.
SUB Palampur & Loamy to 800- 615- Rice, Wheat, Bb, Mm, Rr
TEMPERATE Kangra tlks clay 1300mm 1800m Arhar, (commensal),
SUB HUMID MID of Kangra loam above Seasame, Ge, Mm, Mb,
HILLS (Natural Dt., parts of msl. Temperate Mp, Fp, Hi, Ti.
irrigation & rains) Mandl, fruits, pulses,
Solan, oilseeds, potato
Kullu, Citrus,
Sirmaur Vegetables,
Dts., and Himalayan
Rampur tlks temperate
of Simla forests.
WET Parts of Silty loam 1380- 1500- Maize, Rice, Bb,Rr
TEMPERATE 'Kullu, to clay 1500mm 6000 Oilseens, (commensal),
HIGH HILLS Solan, loam. (July-Sept) above Pulses, Mm, Mb (upto
Chamba, msl. Rajmah, 2000m)
Mandi, Soybean, Hi (upto
Kangra and Barley, Bee 1200m)
Sinnour keeping, Apple,
Dts., Simla Pear, Plum,
except Peach, Apricot,
Ramut Chestnut,
tehsil. Vegetables.
DRY Districts of Sandy 250mm and 2000- Barley, Maize, Bb,Rr
TEMPERATE Kinnaur, loam. below. 7000m Pulses, Potato, (commensal),
HIGH HILLS & Lahul. Splti msl. Millar millets, Mm.
COLD DESERT and parts of Hops, eu mi n,
Chamba Dt. Saffron, Apples,
Nuts, Chilgoza,
Neoza pine,
Cabbage seed,
Sugar beet,
Chicory, Agro
forestry.

49
prone area of the reservoir bank. The zone receives an average of 11 OOmm rainfall.
Wheat and maize are the predominant cereal crops grown followed by rice,
barley, black gram, beans and oil seeds viz., soybean, mustard and linseed. Potato
is the major vegetable. Other vegetables grown are cabbage, radish, French bean,
tomato, peas, chillies and onion. The major fruits grown are mango, litchi, guava,
bert citrus, and pomegranate. Peach and plum are grown to a lesser extent.
Considerable acreage is under forestry/ grass lands and pastures.

2. SUB-TEMPERATE. SUB HUMID MID HILLS 1615-1800m above MSL) : This zone
comprises of Palampur and Kangra tehsils of district Kangra, Rampur tehsil of
district Shimla and parts of Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Sirmaur districts. The soil
texture varies from loamy to clay loam. The range of rainfall is 800-1300mm.

Wheat is the most important crop followed closely by maize, and rice to a
lesser extent. The other crops are barley and pulses like rajmah, black gram and
green gram. Oil seeds grown are mustard, linseed and soybean. Potato cultivation
is extensive. Main vegetables are cabbage/ radish/ French bean/ tomato/ peas,
chlllies and onion. Large areas are used for cultivating apple/ plum. peach, walnut,
almond, apricot and citrus fruits. Forestry, pasture and grasslands are also significant.
More than 80% of the area is rainfed. Maize-pea-wheat is one of the most widely
employed rotation pattern.

3. WET TEMPERATE HIGH HILLS (1500-6000m above MSl): This zone consists of
only mountainous tracts. It comprises of Shimla, (except Rampur tehsil), parts of
Kullu, Solan. Chamba, Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur districts. The soil is salty loam
to clayey loam. deep and neutral in reaction. The range of rainfall is 1380-1500mm.
From November to March snowfall and ground frost are experienced. The agro
climatic conditions being ideally suited for temperate fruits, apple forms 90% of
total fruit production. Fruits like apple, pear, cherry, walnut, chilgoza, plum, apricots
and vegetables such as cauliflower. cabbage, capsicum and peas are grown in
three of the four farming situations namely, stone fruit area of Mashobra, temperate
fruit area of Kotkhai and high hills of Chamba. It is only in the Medium hill area of
Katrain that cereals mainly rice, maize, and rajmah are grown along with fruits and
vegetables.

4. DRY TEMPERATE HIGH HILLS AND COLD DESERT (2000-7000m above MSL):
This zone comprises the districts of Kinnaur, Lahul, Spiti and parts of Chamba.
With elevations being 2000m above MSL, the zone remains covered with snow
from November to March. The rainfall is scanty at 25-250mm. Soil is sandy loam
and neutral to alkaline, Only 2 % of the total cropped area of the state belongs to
this lone. Barley, maize, minor millets, potato, spices, sugar beet, fruits and
chicory are grown.

50
PEST STATUS OF RODENTS (Tables 2-4)

A comparison of extent of damage caused by insects and rodents in

horticultural crops revealed that the latter cause considerable losses (Table 2).
Often they cause more damage than insects especially in cabbage, cauliflower
and apple. Damage to pea, tomato, peach and peanut is also significant.
Table 2 : Damage caused by insect pests and rodents to magor crops.
Host Per cent damage
Insects Rodents
Pea 5-7 3-8
Cabbage 12-15 3-90
Cauliflower 12-15 6-21
Tomato 15-30 2-7
Apple 20 17-40
Peach 10-15 2-7
Plum 5-7 1-2
Peanut 2-7

The Solan centre of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control'
was set up in 1987 at the Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and forestry
to carry out studies on rodent pest management in horticultural crops and the
data generated is as follows:

(a) Cereals (Table 3) : Paddy, whe,at and maize were the crops studied. Damage
was comparatively more to wheat at 4.4 to 14.9% compared to 5.0 to 8.2% to
paddy and 1.9 to 5.0 to maize. The rodents infesting paddy were B.benga/ensis,
M.musculus, M.booduga, R.met/ada and R.rattus of which R.rattus was least
significant. Wheat was infested by B.bengalensis, M.muscu/us, M.booduga, R.rattus
and R.me/tada. Here the density of R.rattus was more than that in rice. Maize had
a slightly different pattern of infestation. M.muscu/us, B.bengalensis, M.booduga,
R.meltada and R.rattus were the species found in maize fields. R.rattus was
found in significant numbers.

(b) Fruits (Table 3) Apple: Rodent damage ranged 21.3 to 44.8 %. A total of seven
rodents damaged apple but only four were major namely, B. benga/ensis >
M.muscu/us > M,booduga>RJattus. The density of R.me/tada and M.platythrix
was insignificant. G.eJlioti was a minor pest.

Peach: Rodent damage was not significant (1.6 to 6.7%). M. musculus was the
predominant species followed by B.bengalensis, M.booduga, R.rattus == G.ellioti.
M.platythr;x and R.me/tada were insignificant.

Plum: Rodent damage was negligible at 1.2 to 2.3%. The major species found
were B.bengalensis, M.musculus, M.booduga, G.ellioti and R.rattus. To a small

,
extent R.me/tada and M.platythrix occurred.

51
Table 3 : Rodent damage and species inflicting damage to cultivated crops in mid hill zone of
Himachal Pradesh
Cropping season, rodent damage (% range) and species involved
% Species (%)
Crop
Dam. Bb Rm Rr Ge Mm Mb Mp Fp
range
Cereals
Paddy (kharif) 5.0-8.2 31.63(4) 18.55(4) 5.89 0 24.83(4) 19.10(4) 0 0
Wheat (rabi) 4.4- 18.49(4)
37.60(4) 11.44(4) 15.55(4) 0 16.92(4) 0 0
14.9
Maize (kharif) 1.9-5.0 25.58(4) 18.08(4) 6.88 0 27.65(4) 21.81(4) 0 0

Orchard fruits
Apple 21.3-4.8 30.42 1.5 14.84 9.8 24.94 15.03 1.38 0
Peach 1.6-6.7 23.56 1.5 13.22 13.15 30.7 15.75 2.62 0
Plum 1.2-2.3 26.05 0 10.42 8.32 27.08 22.92 0
Pecan 1.6-6.7 25.53 5.86 10.76 15.04 22.46 17.45 2.82 0
Tomato (Mar-July) 1.6-7.0 24.13 15.10 9.33 1.22 32.36 15.5 2.05 0
Capsicum (Mar-
NA 14.3 0 42.9 0 28.6 14.3 0 0
July)
Cabbage (Oct· Mar) 2.5-90.0 3.53 8.74 18.83 7.08 36.39 22.01 3.42 0
Cauliflower curd
2.3-8.5 23.36 15.83 7.33 2.67 28.88 17.27 4.66 0
(Oct-Mar)
Cauliflower seed
3.9-12.7 26.13 14.12 10.1 0 28.12 21.6 0 0
(Oct- May/June)
Peas (Dec - Apr) 2.3-8.0 28.33 13.62 11.5 5.95 28.55 16.85 3.13 0
8b = Bandicota benga/ensis, Rm = Rattus me/tada, Rr = Rattus rattus, Ge = Go/unde elliott', Mm = Mus
musculus, Mb = Mus booduga, Mp = Mus plfltVthrix, Fp = Funambu/us pennant;. NA-Not available.

Pecan: The rodent damage was meager i.e. 1.6 to 6.7% and is mostly caused by
B.bengalensis, M.musculus, M.booduga, G. ellioti and R.rattus. R.meltada and
M.platythrix occur in negligible numbers.
Kiwi: The species composition was R.rattus> M.musculus > B.bengalensis =
M.booduga> G.el/ioti.
(c) Vegetables (Table 3) : Tomato was damaged to the extent of 1.6 to 7%. Major
species inflicting damage were M.musculus, B.bengalensis, M.booduga, R.meltada,
and R.rattus. Negligible occurrence of G. elliot; and M.platythrix was seen.
Capsicum: Four species infested capsicum fields namely R.rattus, M.musculus,
M.booduga and B. bengalensis.
Cabbage.' The crop was severely damaged by rodents ranging between 2.5-90%.
The species causing damage were M.musculus, M.booduga, R.rattus, R.meltada
and G.e/!ioti. To a very small extent B.bengalensis and M.platythrix also infested
the cabbage fields.

52
Cauliflower: (i) Curd crop was significantly damaged at 2.3 to 8.5%. The major
species infesting were M.muscu/us, B.benga/ensis, M.booduga and R.me/tada.
To a lesser extent R.rattus, M.p/atythrix and G.ellioti also affected the crop. (ii)
Seed crop was damaged to the extent of 3.9 to 12.7%. Five species inflicted
damage namely, M.muscu/us, B.benga/ensis, M.booduga, R.me/tada and R.rattus.

Peas: Rodent damage was 2.3 to 8.0%. The species damaging the pea crop were
M.muscu/us, B.bengaJensis, M.booduga, R.me/tada and R.rattus. To a small extent
G.el/iot; and M.platythrix were also seen.

DISTRIBUTION OF RODENT SPECIES IN DIFFERENT CROPS

Rodent species found in different crop ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh are

described as under:

1. The Indian mole rat, Bandicota bengalensis : It is the most prevalent species in
all the agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh, right from the foot hills (300m
above MSL) up to the height of 2500m above MSL. However, its population is low
in Kinnaur area (dry temperate zone). It inflicted damage to cereaL vegetables and
fruit crops from sowing/seedling/nursery stage onwards till maturity. It also inhabited
tea plantations, forests and waste/grass lands_ and damaged pecan nut (Sheikher
I.i
and Jain, 1997). B.bengalensis, R.me/tade and M.booduga caused 4.44 to 11.37%
damage in curd crop and 6.51 to 13.94% in seed crop of cauliflower thereby
resulting in loss up to 1755kg curd/ha and up to 53.67 kg seed/hal respectively
(Sheikher and Jain, 1997). Tea plantations have also been reported to be infested
with B.bengalensis, M.booduga, M.musculus and G.eJlioti whose activity adversely
affected the quality and quantity of produce (Sheikher, 1999). On the basis of ten
years studies, this species was found to be dominant in all the fruit, vegetable
(except cabbage) and cereal crops (Table 3).

2. The soft-furred field rat, Rattus meltada : This species is distributed chiefly in
humid sub-temperate, humid sub-tropical and sub~humid sub-tropical zones of
the state. It was a pest on cereal (wheat, paddy, maize) and vegetable crops and
was also present in apple, peach and pecan nut orchards "but in low numbers
(Table 3). In citrus orchards both R.meltada and B.bengalensis dug elaborate
burrows, damaged root and bark of the trees resulting in reduction in the growth
and reduced fruit set (SheikheL 1999).

3. The house rat, Rattus rattus : The species is primarily a commensal species and
inhabits residential premises and stores. It is present in all the agro climatic zones
of the state. It was also a frequent visitor to fields and was a pest foraging on all
types of crops grown' near human habitat. On Kiwi it was the most dominant
species comprising 41.5% of the total rodent population (Table 3). It has been
recorded from the burrows deserted by other rat species in cauliflower fields in

53
the mid hills of the Solan and was also found occupying deserted bird nests atop
trees (Sheikher and Sood, 2001).

4. The bush rat, Golunda elliot; : It has been recorded from sub-temperate, humid
sub-tropical and sub-humid sub-tropical zones up to an elevation of 1200, above
MSL and was present in orchards and in uncultivated areas (waste land, forests
etc.) supporting bushy and grassy ground cover (Sheikher and Jain 1995). However,
it has not been found in cereal crops while in vegetable crops it was recorded as
a sporadic visitor. (Table 3).

5. The house mouse, Mus musculus: This is a commensal species which is a

serious pest in the orchards, nurseries, vegetables and cereal crop fields, sugarcane
fields, grasslands and wastelands. It was also present in the tea plantation,
granaries, stores and residential premises. A ten year study on its population on
apple, peach, plum, pecan and in curd cauliflower, seed cauliflower cabbage, pea
I

and tomato, revealed it be a significant pest on these crops (Table 3).

6. The Indian field mouse, Mus booduga : It is a common pest in all nurseries,
orchards, crop field, tea plantations and grasslands up to an elevation of 2000m
above MSL. In apple, peach, plum, pecan and Kiwi, and in paddy,. wheat and
maize, the population of this species was significant (Table 3). It was one of the
major rodent species in cauliflower (Sheikher and Jain, 1997).

7. The brown spiny mouse, Mus platythrix : It is found in sub-humid tropical and
humid tropical regions. The population of this species on different fruit and
vegetable crops was found to be very low in numbers (Table 3).

8. The five striped squirrel, Funambulus pennanti : This species has been found in
sub-humid and humid sub-tropical zones as a commensal species. It was a pest
of fruit trees and maize crop. It was also observed in large numbers among the
mango and Zizyphus plantations and nested in tree holes and consumed fallen
Zyzyphus fruits (Bhagat and Kashyap, 1992).

9. Porcupine, Hystrix indica: It is widely distributed in various agro-climat'lc zones

of Himachal Pradesh from the districts of Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmour and
Solan up to an elevation of 2700m above MSL. It inflicted heavy damage to a
variety of crops especially in the fields located near their natural habitat. Its
attack was sporadic but extensive. Damage was inflicted to tuber crops, 'cabbage
etc. and also to the young pine plantations apart from other trees in natural
forests as well as in afforested areas. In Shimla district, the porcupine damage to
carrot, radish and potato was found in different localities in the fields adjoining
the forest strips, whereas in Sirmour and Solan districts, turmeric and ginger
rhizomes have been found to be dug out. The damage to the young pine plants
(Pinus roxburghit) was reported to be upto 90% (Sheikher, 1998). In Kangra district,
damage to mango and citrus orchards was in the form of girdling and debarking

54
Table 4: Major pests and diseases of crops of Himachal Pradesh

Cro~s I nsectlnematode ~ests Diseases Rodent ~ests

Vegetable crops
Cole crops Aphids, caterpillars, red Black rot, curd rot, Cabbage:Mm:>Mb>Rr>Rm>Ge>Mp
ant, painted bug. stalk rot, downy Cauliflower: Mm=Bb>Mb>Rm>Rr >Mp
mildew.
Peas Pea leaf miner, pod Powdery mil~ew, 8b=Mm>Mb>Rm>Rr>Ge>Mp
borers, thrips. aschochyta blight,
bacterial blight, wilt.
Tomato Cutworm, whitefly, Damping of buck eye Mm>8b>Mb=Rm>Rr>Mp>Ge
tomato leaf miner, pea rot, bacterial wilt,
pod borer, fruit fly, root bacterial canker
knot nematode. alternaria diseases.
Capsicum Termite, aphid, mite, Damping off fruit rot, Rr:>Mm>8b=Mb
whitefly. blight, anthracnose
mosaic.

Fruits crops
Apple Sanjose scale, woolly Seedling blight, hairy
apple aphid, thrips, root, crown gall, white
defoliating and fruit root rot, collar rot,
eating beetle, defoliating canker and die-back,
Bb>Mm>Rr=Mb>Ge>Rm>Mp
caterpillars, leaf folding powdery mildew, leaf
and fruit scrapping spot, apple scab,
caterpillars, apple fruit sooty blotch, fruit rots,
moth, borers. virus diseases.
Stone fruits Peach leaf curling aphid, Bacterial grummosis,
(peach, plum, blossom thrips, fruit fly, peach leaf curl, brown
apricot, kiwi plum scale, plum fruit, rot& blossom blight,
etc) moth, borers, defoliating leaf spot powdery
& fruit eating beetles, mildew, stigmina Mm=Bb>Mb>Rr=Ge>Rm>Mp
bark eating caterpillars, blight, silver leaf &
termites. cankers white root rot,
coliar rot, white root
rot.
Strawberry Cutworm, white grub, Leaf spot, grey mould.
NA*
hairy caterpiliar.
Grapes Defoliating beetle, thrips, Powdery mildew,
jassids, leaf roller, yellow downy mildew,
NA*
& red wasps. anthracnose, black
rot.
Mango Mango, hopper, psylla, Anthracnose, powdery
mealy bug, stem borer, mildew mango
NA*
shoot borer, bark eating malformation, die-
caterpillar. back, mottle leaf.
Litchi Leaf curl mite. Red rust. NA*
Guava Fruit fly, stem borer. Anthracnose, canker. NA*

Cereals
Paddy Bb>Mm>Mb>Rm>Rr
Wheat Bb>Mm>Mb>Rr>Rm
Maize Mm>Bb>Mb>Rm>Rr
NA *-Not available

55
due to gnawing habit of the animal, particularly in the orchards located near
forest, wasteland or grassland and where wheat was sown as intercrop (Sood
and Sheikher, 2000).

10. The Indian gerbil. Tatel'8 indica,' This species has limited distribution in Himachal
Pradesh, having been recorded only from the foothills of Solan district (humid
sub-tropical and humid sUb-temperate zones). It was also reported from wasteland
and grasslands.

CONCLUSIONS
The data on rodent species composition has been well established for all the
zones but exhaustive account is available for sub-tropical, sub-montane and low
hills (zone 1) and sub-temperate, sub-humid mid hills (Zone 2). The species damaging
major fruit, vegetable and cereal crops have been established along with the extent
of damage.

56
 v. KARNATAKA
Spread over 1.92 lakh sq. km Karnataka occupies eighth position in the
country area wise. It is situated 11.5° N latitude and 74.2° and 78.4 0 E longitude.
Agriculture contributes 63 % to the state's income. Of the 19.1 million hectares,
net area sown is 10.3 million ha. forming 54% of cultivated land. Of this only
20% is irrigated, 70% falls under "Dry zone" and only 10% of the net area sown
has assured rainfall. Monocropping is the rule due to unpredictable and scanty
rainfall. However in the assured rainfall areas of hilly, coastal and transitional
zones double cropping is practiced. Soil is varied. River basins and coastal areas
have alluvial soils, black soil characterises northern plains· while laterites and
laterite soils are found in western hilly regions of heavy rainfall. Climate is tropical
with typical monsoon rainfall. The temperature extremes are 12°C to 13°C during
winter and 42°C during summer. Rainfall is received in three distinct phases viz.,
pre-monsoon rainfall between March and May, South-West Monsoon between
June and September, North-East monsoon from October to December with
absolutely no rains during January to March. Drought is a recurring phenomenon
in more than half the state spread across five of the 10 agro climatic zones
namely, North-eastern dry zone, North-dry zone, Central dry zone, Eastern dry
zone and Southern dry zone. Thus the choice of crops depends on the onset of
monsoon and its distribution
CROPS AND CROPPING SYSTEM
The major food crops such as paddy, jowar, bajra (pearl millet), maize, ragi
(finger millet) and tur (red gram) are grown in 74.86 lakh ha. while in 19.74 lakh
ha. oil seeds, sesame, groundnut and sunflower are cultivated. Groundnut is
grown more than other oil seeds. Coastal and hilly areas grow plantation crops
like areca nut, coconut, cashew, coffee, pepper, cardamom etc. Horticulture is an
important and integrated component of state's agriculture. The major horticultural
crops are mango, banana, citrus, sapota, grapes, and pomegranate. Of late
strawberry cultivation is taken up on large scale in northern Karnataka. Potato,
tomato, brinjal, French beans, cucurbits, capsicum, chillies, different kinds of
gourds, spice crops are grown widely. Floriculture especially around Bangalore
contributes significantly to farmer's income. Major flowers cultivated are
chrysanthemum, jasmine, lilies and roses for export.
With sericulture being an important agro-industry in the state, mulberry is
cultivated in vast areas of southern districts of the state.
AGROCLIMATIC ZONES (Table 1, Fig. 1)
Based on topography, rainfall and soil type, Karnataka has been delineated
into ten Agroclimatic zones. The zones are North Eastern Transition zone, North
Eastern Dry zone, Northern Dry zone, Central Dry zone, Eastern Dry zone, Southern

57
Dry zone, Southern Transition zone, Northern Transition zone, Hilly zone and
Coastal zone.
1. NORTH EASTERN TRANSITION ZONE: It is the smallest agricultural zone of
the state and covers the entire district of Bidar, Aland and Chincholi talukas of
Gulbarga district. Elevation 633-807ft. above MSL. Average rainfall is 870mm
occurring between June to October the range being 633-807mm. The predominant
soil types are red laterites and black soils of varying depth. The major crops
cultivated are jowar, black gram, green gram, red gram, Bengal gram, groundnut,
sunflower, sesame and cotton.

2. NORTH EASTERN DRY ZONE: This zone comprises of Oeoburg, Manvi and
Raichur talukas of Raichur district and all the talukas of Gulbarga excepting Aland
and Chincholi. Elevation is 800-900 ft. above MSL The average rainfall is 710mm
(830-919mm range). Temperature range is 28 to 44°C in summer and 16 to 31°C in
winters. Soil is predominantly medium to deep black. A small area has light red
soils. The area is predominantly rabi farming area. Major crops grown are jowar,
oil seeds, bajra, maize, groundnut, red gram, cotton, sun flower, pulses and
cotton. .

N
A

ftnrtb f ..a.trTIl
TT.:lft.{t1(1t1 ?Od~
~w f'or-c.b AllltCcn
Or,. loa ..
l. f{Qf',hdU Dry Z.one
f .. C.Rtrai nrf tn.nl!l
S. !Bntern I)r, Iu~".
SOlj tbrrn Dry ZO~,.
Soa.therft l'1'"",,ltiqT1
7.0ft,.
B. (for~brra 'J'J'.I.IIIIH ims
7.QUe
~. Hilly Zone

Fig. 1. Agroclimatic zones of Karnataka

58
Table 1 : Details of district/taluk, rainfall, soil type, cropping system, major crops and rodent
pests in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka

Zones Districts/taluks Soil Rainfall Major crops Major rodent pest species
types (mm)
NORTH Entire Bidar Shallow, B70mm JOWAR, BLACK Bb;;;Mm> Ti>Mus sp.
EASTERN district, Aland Medium June - GRAM, GREEN
TRANSITION & Chincholi black. Oct GRAM,RED
ZONE (Kharif taluks of Part of GRAM,
cropping) Gulbarga. the zone GROUNONUT,
is red COTTON,
and BENGAL GRAM.
lateritic.
NORTH- Devdurg, Medium 710mm JOWAR, BAJRA, Bb;;;Mm> Ti>Mb>Mp
EASTERN Manvi & to deep June-Oct RED GRAM,
DRY ZONE Raichur Ilks of black. G.NUT,
(Rabi farming) Raichur Dt. & Few tlks SESAMUM,
entire Bidar Ot. have COTTON,
except the tlks light red SAFFLOWER.
of Aland and soils.
Chincholli.
NORTHERN Large zone Black & 574mm JOWAR, BAJRA, Bb> Ti>Mb>Mm>Mp
DRY ZONE covering 35 Red soil. Bimodal: MAIZE, RED
(Rab; cropping) taluks in More of July- GRAM, G.NUT,
Bijapur, Black. Sept. HORSE GRAM,
Bagalkot, SETARIA,
Bellary, SESAME.
Raichur,
Koppal,
Belgaum,
Gadag,
Dharwad and
Oavanagere
Ots.
CENTRAL Entire Red 454- JOWAR, RAGI, Bb> Ti>Mm>Mb
DRY ZONE Chitradurga, loamy, 718mm GROUNDNUT,
(Kharif parts of Medium Sept-Oct COTTON,
cropping) Davanagere, deep BAJRA.
Hassan, soils in
Chikamagalore northern
and Tumkur districts.
Dts.
EASTERN Parts of Red 679- RAGI, Bb> Ti=Mm>Mb=Mp
DRY ZONE TUmkur Dt. loamy, 889mm GROUNDNUT,
(Kharif and entire laterite, Two HORSE GRAM,
cropping) Kolar & low in peaks RICE, JOWAR,
Bangalore Dts. retentive May, MAIZE,
quality. Sept-Oct MULBERRY,
COW PEA, RED
GRAM,
VEGETABLES.

59
Zones Districts/taluks Soil Rainfall Major crops Major rodent pest species
types (mm)
SOUTHERN Parts of Red 670- JOWAR, RAGI, Mm>Bb>Mb>Ti
DRY ZONE Mysore, sandy 889mm. PULSES,
(Kharif Tumkur and loamy. Two COWPEA,
cropping of Mandya Dts, Pockets peaks GREEN GRAM,
canal irrigation) small parts of of black May PADDY, BLACK
Hassan Dt. soil. Sept-Oct GRAM, HORSE
GRAM,
SUGARCANE,
MAIZE.
SOUTHERN Parts of Red 611- RAGI, JOWAR, Bb>Mb>Mm
TRANSlTlON Hassan, loamy, 1054mm PADDY,
ZONE Chickamagalor Red . May- POTATO,
e, Shimoga sandy Nov PLANTATION
and Mysore loamy. CROPS.
Dts.
NORTHERN Narrow strip Shallow 619- JOWAR, BAJRA, Bb>Mm> Ti>Mus sp
TRANSITION stretching from to Med 1303 GROUNDNUT,
ZONE (Both Chikodi tlks in Black June-Oct COnON,
Kharif and raM Belgaum Dt. to clay, Red COWPEA,
cropping) Hirekerur Ilk in sandy GREEN GRAM,
Haveri Dt. loam. BENGAL GRAM,
RED GRAM.
HILLY ZONE Paris of Utlara Red clay 905- PADDY, Bb>Fpm>Bi>Mm
(Kharif, Kannada, Loamy. 3695 COCONUT,
plantation Belgaum, To some June-Oct BLACK GRAM,
crops) Shimoga, extent ARECA,
Chickamagalor laterite. CARDAMOM,
e, Dharwad & COFFEE.
Kodagu Dts.
COASTAL Parts of Uttara Red 3011- PADDY, Rrr>RfW>Fpm>Ft>Bi>Vo
ZONE (Kharif Kannada, laterite, 4695mm COCONUT,
plantation Dakshina COBstal May-Nov CASHEW,
cropsO Kannada and alluvial. ARECA NUT,
Udupi Ots. COCOA.

3. NORTHERN DRY ZONE It is the largest agricultural zone of the state covering
35 taluks in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Bellary, Raichur, Koppal, Belgaum, Gadag, Dharwad
and Davanagere districts. The zone is characterised by high percentage of irrigation.
Rainfall received is 585mm, the lowest in the state. The total rainfall is not only
scanty but highly erratic and intense resulting in huge run off and soil loss.
Droughts are common and cyclical, occurring every 4th or 5th year. Maximum'
temperature is 29.6°C to 38°5 in summer and minimum is 22°C to 23°C. Black and
red soils are predominant. The zone is a predominantly rabi farming area. The
major crops are sorghum, bajra, ground nut, cotton, wheat, oil seeds including
sunflower, sesame, safflower, linseed and pulses comprising red gram, horse
gram, black gram, green gram and Bengal gram.

60
4. CENTRAL DRY ZONE : This zone consists of entire Chitradurga, parts of
Davanagere, Hassan (Arasikere), Chickmagalore (Kadur taluka), Madhugiri,
Pavagada, Sira, Koratgere and Chikkanayakanahalli talukas of Tumkur districts.
Elevation is 456-800ft. above MSL. The soils are red loamy and medium deep
soils. The rainfall range is 454-718mm received during September-October. The
major crops cultivated are ragi, pulses. (cow pea. black gram, horse gram and
Bengal gram), sorghum, groundnut, rice, cotton, bajra, minor millets, paddy, maize
and plantation crops.
5. EASTERN DRY ZONE : The region comprises the entire districts of Kolar,
Bangalore, Gubbi and Tumkur talukas of Tumkur district. The soils are red loamy
and lateritic, low in retentive quality. The elevation is 800-1500 ft. above MSL.
The range of rainfall is 679-889mm received in two peaks in May and September-
October. Ragi, jowar, maize, fodder, paddy, groundnut, soybean, potato, mulberry
and pulses such as horse gram, Bengal gram, green gram, red gram are the major
crops.
6. SOUTHERN DRY ZONE: It comprises of K.R.Nagar, T.N .Pura, Mysore, Kollegal,
Nanjangud, Chamarajanagar, Gundlupet, Yelandur, talukas of Mysores district,
Turuvekere and Kunigal talukas of Tumkur district, Nagamangala, Srirangapatna,
Malavalli, Maddur, Mandya, Pandavapura, K.R.Pet of Mandya district and
Channarayapatna of Hassan district. The elevation of the zone ranges 450-900 ft.
above MSL. Soil is red sandy loam and a few pockets of black soil. Rainfall range
is 670-889mm. Major crops are ragi, sorghum, paddy, groundnut, oil seeds,
mulberry, plantation crops, sugarcane, maize and pulses (cow pea, green gram,
black gram and horse gram).
7. SOUTHERN TRANSITION ZONE: This zone comprises Holenarasipur, Alur, Belur
and Arkalgud talukas of Hassan district, Bhadravathi, Shimoga, Shikaripur, Honnali
and Channagiri talukas of Shimoga and H.D.Kote, Hunsur, Periapatna talukas of
Mysore district. Elevation is 450-900ft. above MSL. The soils are red loamy, and
red sandy loam. The range of rainfall is 611-1054mm. The major crops are ragi,
groundnut, rice, sorghum, sugar cane, maize, groundnut, cotton, fodder, pulses
such as cowpea, horse gram, Bengal gram and plantation crops.
8. NORTHERN TRANSITION ZONE : It comprises Hukkeri, Chikkodi, Bailhongal,
Belgaum talukas of Belgaum district, Haveri, Shiggaon, Shirahatti, Kundgol, Savanur,
Hubli, Dharwad, 8yadagi, Hirekerur and Ranibennur talukas of Dharwad and
Ranibennur districts. The range of rainfall is 619-1303mm. Elevation is SOO-900ft.
above MSL. in most of the area and a few areas lie at 450-800 ft. Soils are
shallow to medium black clay and red sandy loam. Important crops are jowar,
pulses, groundnut, paddy, ragi, fodder, small millets, sugarcane, cotton, wheat
and horticultural crops.
9. HILLY ZONE : The hilly zone is constituted by Sakleshpur taluka of Hassan
district, Virajpet, Somwarpet, Mercara talukas of Coorg districts, KalghatgL Hangal

61
talukas of Dharwad district, Koppa, Sringeri, Mudigere, Nasasimharajapura of
Chickmagalore district, Sirsi, Siddapur, Yeflapur, Sapa, Haliyal, Mundgod talukas
of North Canara district and some talukas of Shimoga district. Major area lies at
an elevation of 400-900 ft. above MSL. and a few taluks' at 900-1500ft. above
MSL. Rainfall range is 904-3695mm. Soils are red clay and loamy. Principle crops
are jowar, gram, pulses, paddy, maize, ragi, sugarcane, cotton, spices and plantation
crops.
10. COASTAL ZONE: It comprises Karwar, Kumta, Honnavara, Bhatkal, Ankola
talukas of North Canara district and Udupi, Kundapur, Mangalore, Bhantwal, Karkala,
Belthangadi, PuttUT, Sulya talukas of South Canara and Udupi districts. This is
the zone of highest rainfall in the state which ranges 3011-4694mm. Most of the
area lies at less than 300 ft. above MSL and a small area at 450-800ft. Soils are
red lateritic and coastal alluvial. Pulses, groundnut, paddy, tubers, sugarcane and
plantation crops predominate.

DISTRIBUTION OF RODENT SPECIES (Table 2)

There is great diversity of rodent species infesting crop fields of Karnataka.
These species are B.indica, B.benga/ensis, R.rattus, R.me/tada, R.r.rufescens,
R.r. wroughtoni, F.palmarum, F. tristriatus, H. indica, M.platythrix, M. booduga,
M.musculus, T.indica and V.o/eracea. The species complex in the crop fields of
Southern plains consists of B.bengalensis, 8.indica, R.me/tada, T.indica, and Mus
species. In hilly regions H.indica and F. tristriatus become major pests and coastal
areas are heavily infested by F. tristriatus, R.r.rufescens and RJ. wroughtoni. Surveys
in different zones indicated that in Northern Transition Zone R.me/tada was the
predominant species during summer while B.benga/ensis was more numerous
during rainy season. The third abundant species was T.indica. In northern dry
zone B.beng·alensis and M.me/fada were the major species followed by Mus species
and T.indica. In Central dry zone M.me/tada, T.indica and B.benga/ensis were the
predominant species (Table 2).

PESTS STATUS OF RODENTS AND CROPWISE DAMAGE (Table 2; Plate 5)

(Fig. 2 &3)
(a) Rice: B.benga/ensis occurred extensively at all stages of paddy growth namely,
germinating, vegetative growth, pre harvest and post harvest stages in the five
zones studied viz., Eastern dry, Southern Dry, Central Dry, Southern Transition
and Northern Zones. The next two abundant species were M.me/tada and
M.booduga. T.indica was seen only during germination, vegetative growth and
post harvest stages. Damage was 6-10% at grain maturation stage.

(b) Ragi: There was a clear dominance of B.benga/ensis, TJndica and M.me/tada
at all the four stages of ragi growth. The two Mus species were found less
frequently. The data was from Eastern dry and Central dry zones. Ragi was
damaged to the extent of 6-12% at grain maturation stage.

62
Table 2 : Rodent species infesting major food crops of Karnataka
NETZ NEDZ NDZ CDZ EDZ SDZ .8TZ NTZ HZ CZ
Paddy Bb>M Bb 8b>Mb Mm>8 Bb>Mb Bb> Bb
>Mm >Mm b>Mb >Mm Mm
Ragi Bb>Ti> Bb>Mm>
Mm> Ti> Mus
Mus
Maize Bb>M 8b>Ti> Bb=M
m Mm>Mus m>Mp
jowar Bb>Mm> Bb>M
Mb>Ti m>Ti>
Mb
Wheat Bb>M Bb>Ti Bb
m>M >Mp
ussp.
Red gram Bb>Mm 8b>Ti> 8b>M
>Mb Mm>Mus m>Mu
s>Ti
Ground nut Bb>M Bb>Mm> Bb
m>Ti> Ti=Mus
Mb
Soybean 8b>Ti> 8b>M
Mm>Mus m
Sunflower Bb=M
m>
Mus>T

Sugarcane Bb>Mm
>Mb

NETZ-North Eastern Transition Zone; NEDZ-North Eastern Dry Zone; NDZ-Northern Dry Zone; CDZ-
Central Dry Zone; EDZ-Eastern Dry Zone; SOZ-Southern Dry Zone; STZ-South Transition Zone; NTZ-
North Transition Zone, HZ-Hilly Zone; CZ- Coastal Zone.

(e) Maize: The rodent pests were slightly different in maize fields of Eastern Dry,
Central Dry and Northern Transition Zones. The usual triplet of rodents i.e.
B.benga/ensis, M.meltada and T.indica were predominant at all the four stages of
maize growth in Eastern Dry zone. In central Dry zone only B.bengaJensis and
M.me/tada were seen. In Northern Transition Zone both B.bengalensis and
.M.me/tada were major species followed by M. pIa tythrix. At pre harvest stage only
bandicoots and metads were seen. Damage was 4% at seedling and 12.5% at
preharvest stage.

(d) Jowar: Rodent infestation was seen only during sowing stages when 4-7% of
sown seeds were consumed by rodent pests. ihe species involved were
B.bengalensis, M.meltada, M.booduga and T.indica. At the other stages of grolNth
no rodent infestation was seen in jowar in Eastern Dry Zone. In Northern Transition
Zone B.bengalensis and T.indica were seen at vegetative growth and B.bengalensis,
M.me/tada and M.booduga were observed at preharvest stage.

63
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68
(e) Wheat: There was no rodent infestation at seed germination and post harvest
stages. During vegetative growth B.benga/ensis, M.meltada and M.booduga were
seen in Northern Dry Zone only. At the time of grain maturation only B.bengalensis
infested wheat fields in Northern Transition Zone and B.bengalensis, T.indica and
M.p/atythrix in Northern Dry Zone. Damage was 5-10%

(f) Red gram: Although rodents were present in red gram fields from seedling to
harvest and post harvest stage, yet damage of 50-100% was seen only at seedling
stage. B.bengalensis and M.meltada were the predominant species followed by
Mus species.

(g) Groundnut: B.benga/ensis was the most prevalent species followed by

M.meltada. The two Mus species also occurred. Damage was 30-40% at seedling
stage and 4-1 2 % at pod maturation stage.

(h) Soybean: Damage was negligible (3%). B.benga/ensis, T.indica and M.me/tada
were the major pests.

(i) Sunflower: B.bengalensis and M.meltada were predominant. Gerbils and the
two Mus species occurred to a small extent. Damage was 70% to sown seeds
and nil to mature seeds.

(j) Cotton: Damage was 3% to seeds. M.meltada was the most abundant species.
Bandicoots and gerbils were also present.

(k) Sugarcane: The crop was damaged to the extent of 6% by B.bengalensis l

M.meltada and M.booduga.

(I) Mulberry : Its roots were damaged (2 %) by the burrowing activity of

B.bengalensis. Other species present were gerbils, metads and Mus.

(m) Marigold: Damage was 3% due to squirrels, F.palmarum feeding on flowers.

Burrows of bandicoots, gerbil and Mus were seen.

In) Coffee and Areca nut : These crops were damaged by squirrels but the damage
was not quantified.

(0) Coconut : It was damaged by R.rattus at crown level in interior Karnataka. In

coastal areas R.r.rufescens and R.rattus damaged coconuts. B.bengalensis was a
pest in coconut nurseries. Other species were M.meltada and T.indica.

(p) Cocoa: The pods suffered rodent damage upto 48% by R.rattus, F. tristriatus
and V.oleracia

(q) Oil palm: It was damaged upto 10%. Species infesting were B.bengalensis,
M. meltada and T. indica.

69
 Rodent damage to food crops in Karnataka

110
100
90
80
Q)
CD
70
<II
E 60
<II
'tl 50
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EilMnmlUni I:lIM"XlmUm

Fig. 2. Rodent damage to food crops in Karnataka

50
45
40
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a 20
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Fig. 3. Rodent damage to vegetables, fruits and plantation crops in Karnataka

70
(r)' Fruits: Damage was 3% to griava, 10% to sapota, 12% to pomegranate, nil to
grapes and 1 % to banana. Although burrows of B.benga/ensis, M.meltada, T.indica
ar:d Mus species were seen, yet visibly F.palmarum damaged sapota and
pomegranate.

(s) Vegetables: The vegetables, viz., beetroot, brinjal, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower,
chow-chow, knol-khol, onion, potato, tomato, cucumber and French bean suffer
rodent damage to the extent of 4-6%. The major species were B.bengalensis.
Gerbils, metads and Mus also occurred to a some extent (Fig. 2).

SEVERITY OF RODENT DAMAGE IN KARNATAKA

A comparison of extent of rodent damage to different crops reveals that
almost all cultivated crops in Karnataka are susceptible to rodent attack. Seedling
damage is maximum to soybean, jowar, red gram and groundnut, sometimes
forcing the farmer to resow two to three times. The only crop that is not damaged
above ground is soybean. Food grains such as paddy, ragi, maize and wheat are
damaged 10% and above (Tables 2 & 3; Figs. 1 & 2).

Almost all vegetables cultivated are damaged between 4-6%. Amongst fruits
pomegranate and sapota were damaged around 10% mostly by squirrels. The
maximum damage was to plantation crops. Cocoa is the worst suffered followed
by cardamom and coconut. In view of the high export value, the enormous damage
caused by rodents to these crops is an alarming problem.

BIOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF MAJOR RODENT SPECIES OF KARNAT AKA

Knowledge on breeding season and periods of low or nil reproduction helps
in timing rodent control measures for optimum mortality. Carrying out rodent
control during non breeding/low breeding seasons is not only cost effective but
also slows down population rebuild. The following is the brief account of
reproductive biology of major rodent pests in Karnataka:

1. The Indian mole rat B,bengalensis: Exhibits seasonal reproductive activity from
early July till the end of April with an oestrous p.eriod between March and June.
The peak reproductive activity was seen during September to November. There
was a correlation between breeding activity and rainfall with subsequent availability
of food. The annual reproductive rate was 67 young/female/year. Thus the months
of March, April, May and June are the best mon~hs to take up control measures
against B.bengalensis when its population is at minimum (Srihari and Govind Raj,
1984).

71
2. The soft furred field rat, M.meltada: Breeding season was from July to early
March and peak reproductive period was during September-November. The annual
productivity was 53/young/female/breeding season. April to June (summer months,
non breeding season) are ideal for initiating rodent control in fields infested with
M.meltada (Govind Raj and Srihari, 1989).

3. The house rat, R.rattus: The breeding period extended from March to December.
Peak reproduction was seen during September-November. The annual productivity
was 70 young/female/year. It is recommended that rodent control in houses and
poultry be taken up during january-February and in August (Sridhara and
Krishnamurthy, 1992).

4. The Indian gerbil, T.indica: The peak reproductive activity was seen during
October, November, December and was associated with availability of food after
the monsoons. The breeding rate was 53 young/female/breeding season. The months
of May, June and July are most suitable to initiate control operations against
T.indica when its density is lowest and the species is not breeding !Govind Raj and
Srihari, 1992).

5. The brown spiny mouse, Mus platythrix: The breeding period lasted from june
to early March. The peak reproductive period was during September-November.
The annual prorJuctivity was 54 young/female/breeding season. Sexual quiescence
was seen during March and May coinciding with high temperature and scarcity of
food. Thus the summer months of March, April and May are suitable for controlling
M. platythrix (Govind Raj, 1994).

Table 4 depicts the panoramic picture of insect, disease and rodent pest
complex of major food crops. and important vegetable. horticultural and plantation
crops. When compared with the damage inflicted as shown in tables 2 and 3,
rodents cause significant losses to all these crops.

CONCLUSIONS

Since its inception the All India Coordinatied Research Project on Rodent
Control at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore has generated
enormous data on rodent species damaging major crops of Karnataka. The species
are basically six to seven namely, B.benga/ensis, B.indica~ M.meltada, T,indica,
R.rattus, M.p/atytrhix and M.booduga. What emerges is the pre eminent status of
B.bengalensis as the .number one pest in most of Karnataka. In some areas of
northern Karnataka T.indica and M.meltada become predominant. Field mice are
always minor pests. Coastal areas are characterized by R.rattus species in coconut,
F. tristriatus in cocoa and hilly regions have H,indica and B.indica as additional
conventional pests.

72
 Burrow of B. bengalensis in ragi Squirrel damage to chrysanthemum

Burrow of B. bengalensis in paddy Burrow of B. bengalensis in cucumber

B.. bengalensis burrow in French bean B. bengalensis burrow in cabbage

Table 4 : Common insect, nematode, rodent pests and diseases of major crops of Karnataka.

Crop Insect/Nematode Pests Diseases Rodent Pests

Rice Yellow stem borer, Brown Rice blast, sheeth blight, Bandicota benga/ensls,
plant hopper, gollmidge, Bacterial leaf blight, sheath Mus booduga, Millardia
leaf folder, white backed rot, brown rot, false smut. meltada
plant hopper, thrips, root
knot nematode, Rice root
nematode.
Ragi Ragi stem borer, white Blast, earhead smut, Bandicota benga/ensis,
borer, aphids, thrips, leaf mosaic disease complex, Millardia me/tada, Tatera
hopper, weevil, cutworm, wilt, downy mildew. indica, Mus spp.
black & red hairy
caterpillars.
Jowar Shoot fly, stem borer, ear Grain smut, downy mildew, Bandicota bengaiensis,
head bug, ear head rust, sugary disease, leaf Millardia me/lada, Tatera
midge, short bug, blight. indica, Mus spp.
wingless grass hopper,
jowar mite, aphids,
caterpillars, pod borer,
leaf folder, cutworm.
Wheat Pink stem borer, white Rust, leaf spot, loose smut, Bandicota bengalensis,
ants, green plant bug, wheat powdery mildew, Millardia me/tada =
root grubs, army worm, wheat leaf blight. Tatera indica, Mus spp.
surface grass hopper,
aphids.
Maize Pink stem borer, jowar Downy mildew, leaf blight, Bandicota benga/ensis,
stem borer, maize common smut, rust. Millardia meltada, Talera
cutworm, cob caterpillar, indica, Mus spp.
root grub.
Sugarcane Seedling borer, top shoot Red rot, whip smut, rust, Bandicota benga/ensis,
borer, green borer, pink blight, will, sugarcane Mil/ardia me/tada, Mus
borer, root grub, termites, mosaic virus, pineapple booduga
sugarcane leaf hopper, disease, gumming disease,
mealy bug, black bug, rattan stunting, root knot
aphids, jassids, grass nematode.
hopper, hispa,
Rhinoceros beetle,
sugarcane smut, mites.
Red Gram Pod borer, plume moth, Wilt, sterility mosaic, leaf Bandicota benga/ensis,
pod fly, blister beetle, red spot, powdery mildew. MilJardia meltada, Mus
headed hairy caterpillar, =
spp. Tatera indica
Tussock caterpillar, stink
bug, pod bug, leaf miner,
surface weevil, stem
borer, pulse beetle, tur
bud mite.
Soybean Leaf miner, spider mite, Leaf spot Bandicota benga/ensis,
pod borer. Tatera indica, Millardia
meltada.~

73
 Crop Insect/Nematode Pests Diseases Rodent Pests

Groundnut Groundnut leaf miner, Tikka disease, rust, viral Bandicota bengalensis,
plant lice, red headed diseases, collar and root- Millardia meitada, Tatera
hairy caterpillar, root not indica, Mus spp.
grub, stem borer, thrips,
cut worm, tobacco worm.
Sunflower Corn-ear worm, black Rust, leaf spot, collar not Bandicota bengalensis =
headed hairy caterpillar, Millardia me/fada, Mus
surface weevil, spp. Tatera indica.
semilooper, leaf hopper,
binds.
Potato Potato tuber worm, Late blight, Early blight, Bandicota benga/ens;s
greasy cut worm, lady Brown rot or wilt, black
bird beetle, aphids, scurf, viral diseases,
ground grubs, leaf mosaic symptoms, leaf roll.
hopper, root knot
nematode.
Tomato Fruit borer, fruit sucking Damping off, leaf roll, leaf Bandicota bengalensis,
moth, white flies, mites, spot, late and early blight. Mus platythrix, Mil/ardia
mealy bug, jassids, bacterial wilt, powdery me/tada, Tatem indica,
tobacco bug, cut worms, mildew, mosaic diseases, Mus booduga.
root knot nematode. pink diseases.
Brinjal Epilaehna beetle, aphids, Damping off, little leaf Bandicota bengalensis,
jassics, mealy bugs, disease, bacterial wilt, Millardia me/tada, Mus
shoot fruit borer and stem Fusarium wilt, Fruit rot, leaf spp. Tatera indic.,
borer, leaf weevil, leaf spot, powdery mildew,
roller, bud worm, bugs, broom rape.
brinjal plume moth, red
ant, caterpillars, leaf
miner, termites, mites,
root knot nematode
Cabbage Aphids, leaf webber, Collar rot, damping off, Bandicota benga/ensis,
diamond back moth, black rot, club root, black Mus spp. = Tatera indica
cabbage butterfly, leg, blight, fungal diseases,
cabbage head borer, deficiency diseases.
painted bug, cutworm,
semilooper.
Cauliflower SIMILAR TO CABBAGE Bandicota bengaJensis,
Millardi<l me/fada, Mus
booduga, Tatera indica
Knol-Khol SIMILAR TO CABBAGE Bandicota bengalensis,
Mil/ardia meftada, Tatera
indica, Mus p/atythrix
Beet Root Aphids, cut worm, leaf Leaf spot, rust, Heart rot. Bandicota bengalensis,
webber, root knot Mus platythrix, Tatera
nematode. indica.

Carrot Leaf hopper, aphids, Leaf blight, black rot, Bandicota benga/ensis,
weevil powdery mildew. Mus pletythrix.

French Bean Pod fly, aphid, pod borer, Yellow bean mosaic virus, Bandicota benge/ensis,
root grub, mites. Anthracnose, pot rot, rust, Mus plefythrix, Mil/ardia
powdery mildew, ashy stem me/tada
blight, angular leaf spot,
bacterial leaf spot.

74
 Crop InsecUNematode Pests Diseases Rodent Pests

Chow-Chow Red pumpkin beetle, Downy mildew, powdery Bandicota bengalensis,

aphids, fruit flies, mealy mildew, mosaic diseases. Mil/ardia me/lada, Mus
bugs. p/atythrix.

Cucumber Red pumpkin beetle, fruit Leaf spot. Bandicota bengafensis

fly, cut worm, root knot
nematode.
Sapota Fruit borer, mealy bugs, Leaf spot, fruity mold, leaf Tatera indica:::: Bandicota
scale insects and green blight, flat limb, fruit rot. bengafensis =
bugs, hairy caterpillar, Funambulus palma rum .
bud worm, anar butterfly Mus spp.
caterpillar, thrips, mango
hoppers, fruit fly.
Pomegranate Fruit borer, thrips, aphids, Canker and die back, leaf Funambulus palmarum,
castle pod borer, fruit fly, spot, space lama punicae, Bandicota bengalensis,
bark feeder, Tussock fruit cracking, fruit rot. Mil/ardia meltada, Mus
moth caterpillar, surface spp.
weevil, plug caterpillar,
squirrels.
Guava Scab, mealy bugs, Wilt, anthracnose, stem Bandicota bengalensis,
scales, fruit sucking canker, seedling blight, Millardia mellada ::::
moths, fruit flies, bark white spot diseases, Tatera indica, Mus
eating caterpillars. cercospora leaf spot, zinc booduga
deficieny, market disease,
scab.
Coconut Eriophyid mite, Anabe raga, feaf spot Rattus rattus, Bandicota
Rhinoceros beetle, Red disease, Bud rot, Leaf rot, benga/ensis, Mil/ardia
palm weevil, Black Root wilt, Stem bleeding, meftada, Tatera indica,
headed caterpillar, beetie, Gray blight, Thanjavore wilt. Mus platythrix.
coried bug, mealy bug,
root grub, scale insects,
red spider mites,
caterpillers, slugs,
termites, aphids, red ants.
Cardamom Hairy caterpillar, thrips, Katte, leaf spot, rust, foorki Bandicota bengalensis,
shoot borer, grass disease, damping off, Tatera indica, Millardia
hopper, aphids, bugs, . clump rot, leaf rot. meltada, Funambulus
jassids, mites, fruit borer, penn anti.
beetles.
Cocoa Shot hole borer, mealy Kole raga, charcoal rot, Funambulus tristrialus,
bug, pod mealy bug, pod black pod, pink disease. Rattus rattus, Vandeleura
borer, stem borer, aphids, olerecia.
thrips.
Areca Nut Palm weevil, wood borer, Bud rot, Mahali or Kole Bandicota bengalensis,
arecanut borer, scale roga, Yellow leaf, Anabe Miffardia meltada == Mus
insects, aphids, thrips, roga, stem bleeding, booduga, Tatera
red ants. Anthracnose. ;ndica,Funambulus
almarum

75
 VI. KERAlA
Kerala state lies between 8 0 18' and 12°48' North latitudes and 74°52' and
77°22' East longitude as a long narrow strip of land with the width ranging only
32-130km in the South-Western corner of India, tucked between the western
ghats on the east and Arabian sea on the west. The state has a geographical area
of 38863 km2 and a coastal line of 580km. (Ghosh, 1991).

AGROClIMATIC ZONES (Fig. 1; Table 1)

Kerala state is divided into five agroclimatic zones namely, Northern Zone,
Central Zone, High Altitude Zone, Problem Area Zone and Southern Zone.

Cannan OTC

~ Northern 7.0""
UlIIID Southern zone
[ill Central 'lDne Alleppy·
om OHATTUI\ARA--
1I1gh Altitude Zone
Quilon
1
!(Q~C I
[ill) KUTTAN AD
o POKKALJ
&.

~ LOI'/' RABiFAL..L
__j
Pr(Jblem
BTeil .one I
Trivnudr"Ol

Fig. 1 Agroclimatic zones of Kerala

1. NORTHERN ZONE: It comprises the four districts of Mallapuram, Kozhikode,

Cannanore and Kasargod with a total coastline of 293km. Western ghats covered
with forests gradually descend to coastal area with a series of hills, valleys
intersected by rivers, streams, small lakes and back waters. Heavy rainfall occurs
during June-July-August months with a mean of 3378 mm, the range being 2800-
4000mm. Soil types vary from concretionary mass and massive laterite crest
formations to saline, forest loam, riverine alluvial and coastal alluvial.
Major crops are coconut, paddy, cashew, rubber, pepper and tapioca. To a
smaller extent banana, mango, jackfruit, vegetables, cocoa, cardamom, ginger
and sesame are grown. The cropping system is mainly perennial. Mono crops

76
such as coconut, areca nut, rubber, pepper and cashew, perennial intercrops like
coconut + areca nut, coconut + pepper, areca nut + pepper + coconut, areca
nut + coconut and annual crops like paddy-paddy-paddy, paddy-paddy-vegetables,
paddy-banana-yam and paddy-cowpea-black gram are cultivated.
2. CENTRAL DRY ZONE: The zone comprises the districts of Palghat, Triehur and
Ernakulam excepting the coastal and hilly areas. Rainfall consists of South-West
monsoon from June to September and Northwest monsoon from October to
November. The range of rainfall .is 3215-3550mm. Soil types are identified as
laterite, coastal alluvium, riverine alluvium, brown hydromorphic, hydromorphic
saline, black soil and forest loams.
Three cropping systems are in vogue - mono crops viz., rubber, tea, coffee,
cashew, pineapple, coconut, areca nut, perennial intercrops i.e.
coconut + vegetables/tuber crops/paddy/millet, coconut-pepper-areca nut, lemon
grass + essential tree crops and annual crops namely paddy-paddy-fallow, paddy-
paddy/pulses/vegetables, paddy-paddy-paddy and banana-vegetables-tuber crops.
3. HIGH ALTITUDE ZONE: It consists of high ranges of Wyanad, Idukki, Palghat,
Quilon and Trivendrum districts. The low rainfall in January-March is conducive
for the cultivation of coffee, rice, tea and pepper. The other areas of the zone
receive 1624-4000 mm rainfall. There are five types of soils namely laterite-Alfisol,
well drained clay loam in Inceptisols, forest loam in Inceptisols, poorly drained
deep soil in Entisols and Riverine alluvium-Entisols.
The three cropping systems are the usual perennial mono crops viz., coffee,
tea, rubber, pepper, cardamom, perennial mixed crops i.e. coffee+pepper, food
crops namely, paddy-paddy-paddy, paddy-banana paddy-ginger, paddy-vegetables,
I

tuber crops-oil seeds and annual crops such as cassava, ginger, banana, yam,
garlic, vegetables and sugarcane

4. PROBLEM AREA ZONE : The zone lies along the coast of Kerala from Quilon in
the south to Mallapuram in the north. It consists of districts of Alleppey, Kottayam,
Ernakulam, Trichur and Mallapuram. South-West monsoon extends from June to
September and North-East monsoon from October to November. The average
rainfall is 3000mm. The zone faces the problem of floods during kharif and the
problem of drought during later period of rabi. Soil is of four types namely, coastal
alluvium, riverine alluvium, onattukara, alluvium and acid saline.
The cropping system is predominantly rice based and consists of rice-rice-
sesame, tapioca-banana-yam, coconut-jackfruit/mango/cashew intercropped with
vegetables, yams, pulses, rice-rice-rice, rice with coconut as boundary crop, rice-
rice with coconut as boundary crop, rice-sesame, rice-rice-rice, rice-rice + fish and
prawn + rice/prawn.

77
5. SOUHERN ZONE : This zone comprises districts of Trivendrum, Quilon,
Pathanamthilta, Alleppy and Kottayam. South West monsoon extends from June
to September while North-West monsoon occurs during October-November. Rainfall
is exceptionally well distributed and averages 2246mm.

The soil types are laterite, with the texture varying from sandy to sandy loam
and clay loam. The perennial mono crops are rubber, coconut, areca nut, pepper
and cashew. Annuals include tapioca, banana, yam, ginger and turmeric while
food crops cultivated are paddy-paddy, paddy-pulses, paddy-vegetables and paddy
fallow.

PEST STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RODENTS (Table 2 &3; Plate 6)

The rodent pests of plantation crops under AICRP on Rodent control were
studied from 1978-1992. Mostly data was collected in and around the Central
Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod which falls under northern zone
of Kerala. The soil is coastal alluvial, reverine alluvial and forest loams with a
rainfall range of 280Q·4000mm. Although paddy based annual crops were cultivated,
the data on rodent damage and species involved was collected only for perennial
mono crops and perennial intercrops namely, coconut, areca nut and cocoa. Apart
from species composition, there were studies on the ecology, biology and control
of major pests. The cropwise rodent pests are as follows (Tables 2 & 3).

Table 1 : Agroclimatic zones, crop conditions and rodent pests of Kerala

Zone District & Soil type Rainfall Altitude Cropping Rodent pests
Taluks s~stems
NORTHERN Districts of Hard crusty 2800- Mono cro~s: Cardamom:
ZONE Mallapuram, eroded, 4000mm Coconut, areca Rrw, Fpm, Bi,
Kozhikode, Coastal June- nut, rubber, Ti
Cannanore and alluvial, Aug. pepper &
Kasargod. Riverine cashew.
alluvial, Perennial Coconut: Rrw,
Forest loams. intercro~s: Ft, Fpm, Bi,
Coconut + areca Bb, Ti, Mb, Hi
nut, Coconut Tapioca: Rr,
+pepper, Areca Vo
nut + Arecanut: Rr,
Coconut+Pepper, Ft, Fpm, Mbb
Areca
nut+Cocoa. Cashew:Rr.
Annual crops: Fpm, Rb, Bb,
Paddy-Banana" Hi
Yam-Vegetables, Rubber : Bi
Cowpea I Black Oil plam : Rr
gram Cocoa : Rr,
Ft, Fpm, Mbb

78
 Zone District & Soil type Rainfall Altitude Cropping Rodent pests
Taluks systems
CENTRAL Seventeen Laterite, 3215- 400- Monocro[!s:
DRY ZONE taluks of Coastal, 3550mm 2000 Rubber, Tea,
Palghat, Alluvial, June- above Coffee, Cashew,
Trichur and Riverine, Sept msc. Pineapple,
Ernakulam. Alluvium, Oct-Nov Coconut, Areca
Districts sans Black soil, nut. Perennial
hills and Forest loam intercro[!s:
coasts. Coconut-
VegetableslTuber
crops!Paddy!
millet, Coconut- NA*
Pe pper-Areca
nut, Lemon
grass-essential
tree crops.
Annual crogs:
Paddy-Pulses!
Vegetables.
Banana-
Vegetables-
Tuber crops
HIGH High ranges of Laterite- 1624- 750m MOllO cro[!s:
ALTITUDE Wyanad, Alfosoil, Clay 4000mm above Coffee, Tea,
ZONE Idukki, Pal ghat, loam, Forest June- msl Rubber, Pepper,
Quilon and loam, Brown- Aug Cardamom,
Trivendrum Wrdromorphic- Jan - Mixed crogs:
Dts. ntisols, March Coffee+ Pepper,
Riverine Food cro[!s:
alluvium- Paddy-Banana,
Entisols Ginger, NA*
Vegetables,
Tuber crops-
oilseeds.~
crops: Cassava,
Ginger, Banana,
Yam, Garlic,
Vegetables,
Suaarcane.
PROBLEM Coastal taluks Coastal 3000mm Pa dy-Sesame-
AREA of Allepy, alluvium, average Fish-Prawn,
ZONE Kottayam, Riverine Jan- Tapioca-Banana-
Ernakulam, alluvium, Sept. Vam, Coconut
Trichur and Onattu kara, Oct-Nov mixed with NA*
Mallapuram alluvium, Acid Jackfruitl Mangol
saline, Sandy Cashew!
loam Vegetables,
Pulses.
SOUTHERN 21 taluks Lateritic, 2246mm Perennial mono
ZONE belonging to Sandy-sandy average. crops
Trivendrum, loam, clay Jan- Rubber, Coconut,
Quilon, loam Sept Areca nut,
Pathanamthitta, Oct-Nov Pepper, Cashew.
Allepyand Annuals: NA""
Kottayam Dts. Tapioca, Banana,
Vam, Ginger,
Turmeric. Food
crops: Paddy-
Pulses,
Vegetables.
NA *-Not available; R.r. w. .' R.rattus wroughtoni; Fpm: F. palmarurrl; BJ. B. indica; Tic.; T. india;
B.b . .' B. bengalensis, M b - M. booduga; Hi: Hytrix indica, V.o . .' Vandeleuria oleracea.

79
(a) Coconut: Several species of rodents including rats, squirrels, bandicoots, gerbils
and porcupines damage coconut at every stage of cultivation. Four different
subspecies of Rattus rattus are so far identified to damage coconut. These include
Rattus {attus wroughtoni, R.r.andamanensis, R.r.holecl7u and R.palliventer (Advani,
1984 and 1985). Of these R.r. wroughtoni Hinton is the predominant species
causing heavy damage to tender coconut in Kerala and Karnataka (Advani, 1984;
Bhat, 1988; Shat and Sujatha, 1989). Black rats also damage leaf stalks, unopened
spathe, female flowers and mature nuts. B.bengalensis, B.indica and Hvstrix indica
were reported to damage shed nuts in the field. These burrowing rodents along
with T.indica damaged coconut seedlings in the nursery.

Rodents are reported to cause 7.15 to 8.87% (Kurien, 2000) and 21-28.5%
loss (Advani, 1985) to tender coconuts. Extent of damage was more when
intercrops were cultivated (Advani. 1985). Damage was higher during summer
and early monsoon (April-June) than during post monsoon (August-October).
Typical rat damage consists of a small hole (5cm) near the perianth region (Plate 6).
The damaged nuts fall down 2-6 days after attack (Shat and Sujatha, 1989).
Table 2 : Damage of rodents to major crops of Kerala

_ Crop _______D.iI_mage(~ _____________ Rodent ~_~e~c.9'!!!p.9.si~!!:tio~n~_ __

Rice 0.04-1.03 NA*
Coconut 7.15-8.B7 (Kurian, 2000) Rrw. Ft. Fpm. Bi. Bb. Ti. Mbb. Hi

21 ~2B.5 (Adva ni. 1984)

Banana NA*
Tapioca NA*
Areca nul Rr, Vo
Cocoa 75 (Advani, 1985) Rr, Ft, Fpm, Mbb
Pepper NA*
Ginger NA*
CasheiN Rr. Fpm, Rb, Bb, Hi
Rubber Bi
Oil palm Rr
Cardamom Rrw, Fpm, Bi, Ti
Cassava 12.05·2B.47 (Kurian. 2000) NA*

Rrw: Rattus rattus wroughtini; Ft: Funambu/us tristriatus; Fpm: Funambu/us palmarum,' Bi: Bandicota
indica_. Va: Vandeleuria o/eracea; Bb: Bandicota benga/ensis_' Ti: Tatera indica; Mbb: Mus boaduga
booduga,' Hi: Hystrix indica; Rr: Rattus rattus; Rb: Rattus blanfordi. NA *-Not available

(bl Cocoa : It is grown either as a mixed crop along with coconut or areca nut or
as a mono crop under forest along the west coast of Karnataka and Kerala. Rats
and squirrels depredate on pods causing heavy damage which is variously reported
to range from 8-15% and 18-47% (Bhat, 1993; Bhat et al., 1981) and 75% (Advani,
1984). The species involved are Rattus rattus and Funambulus tristriatus. Rats
gnaw holes near the peduncle, whereas squirrels gnaw oval holes in the center of
the cocoa pod (Plate 6).

80
r
~

, ,
" ,t 'Ii" ~
i
'.
,\,

t
;
{,,'

"'I
,; 'r '

l,
~'

f ~, II

Tender coconuts damaged by rat Cocoa pods damaged by rodents

Arecanut damage by long tailed Cashew nuts damage by

tree mouse white tailed wood rat

. ,
Table 3 : Pests and diseases of major and minor crops in Kerala

Crops Insects Diseases Rodents Rodents

likely to
be
resent
Rice Stem borer, Gall midge, Rice Blast, Brown leaf spot, Narrow Bb, Mb,
bug, Brown Plant Hopper, Leaf brown leaf spot, Sheath blight, Mm
roller, Case worm, Swarming Sheath rot, Stack burn, NA*
caterpillar, Rice hispa, Rice Bacterial blight, Grassy stunt,
thrips, Mealy bug Ragged stunt.
Coconut Eriophyid mite, Rhinoceros Bud rot, Leaf rot, Root (wilt), Rrw, Ft,
beetle, Red palm weevil, Black Stem bleeding, Gray blight, Fpm, Bi,
headed caterpillar, Cockchafer Thanjavore wilt. Bb, Ti,
beetle, Coried bug, Mealy bug Mbb, Hi
Banana Banana aphid, Pseudo stem Bunchy top, Banana wilt, Bb
borer, Rhizome weevil, Sigatoka leaf spot, Kokkan NA*
Nematodes
Tapioca Tapioca scale, Mealy bug, Mites Cassava Mosaic NA' Bi, Hi, Bb
Areca Nut Spindle bug, Root grub, Mites, Bud rat, Mahali or Kale raga, Rr, Vo
Inflorescence caterpillar Yellow leaf, Anabe raga
Cocoa Shot hole borer, Mealy bug Vascular streak die back, Rr, Ft,
black pod Fpm, Mbb

Cashew Tea Mosquito, Stem and root Anthracnose, Die back Rr, Fpm,
borer Rb, Bb, Hi

Rubber Powdery mildew, Pink Bi

disease Leaf fall
NN-Nat available

(c) Areca nut : These plantations are infested by R.r. wroughtoni, F. tristriatus and
V. o/eracea, (Bhat, 1982). They feed mainly on female flowers and tender areca
nuts. Damage by V.oleracea is in the form of small round holes at the perianth
portion (Plate 6). Nambiar (1949) had reported 20% damage to tender areca nuts
in some areas of Assam and Karnataka.

(d) Cashewnut : Rattus blanfordi Thomas has been recorded as the pest of cashew
nut (Shat, 1989). This rat was observed to gnaw open the shells of cashew nut
readily and feed on kernel (Plate 6). On average the rat consumes 5.7 nuts per day.

(e) Coconut-Cocoa-mixed plantation : The mixed plantations were infested by six

species of rodents arid one species of insectivore. R.r. wroughtoni was the most
predominant species followed by M.booduga comprising 45% and 35% of
population, respectively. The order of frequency of trapping of remaining rodents
was: V. o/eracea > F. trlstriatus > R. r. rufescens > Suncus murinus> T. indica.
V.oleracea was purely arboreal whereas, F. tris tria tus, R. r. wroughtoni and
R.r.rufescens were primarily arboreal but were also active on the ground. In contrast
M.booduga and S.murinus were ground dwellers. At Hirehalli in Karnataka, coconut-
cocoa plantations were infested by the south Indian palm squirrel, F. palmarum.

81
THE BIOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF MAJOR RODENT PESTS OF KERALA

7. Rattus rsttus wroughtoni Hinton, wroughton's rat is the most common rodent
in South-west India and is a major pest of coconut and cocoa. In coconut plantations
it lives mainly on the crowns of the palms by constructing nests either in the
interspaces of nuts or in the spindle portion of the palm. They move from one
palm to the other through fronds and rarely come to the ground (Shat et al.,
1981). Damage to seedling of oil palm is also reported (Bhat et al., 1990).

Studies on population ecology revealed male to female ratio of 0.8 to 1.0

with pregnant females present throughout the year but with two peaks, one in
early summer (February-March) and the other during monsoon (july-August). The
incidence of pregnancy was lowest in May when the day temperature was
maximum. The litter size ranged 1-8. Home range was 1160 sq.m for males and
932.8 sq.m for females (Bhat et al., 1987).

The most common food was male Jlowers of the coconut. Tender coconut
husk and she", cocoa, grass, seeds, small ants, grubs and certain insects were
often eaten. Mosses, oil palm fruit, coconut kernel, beetles, ground roaches and
caterpillars also formed a part of their diet occasionally (Bhat, 1991).

A ten fold numbers of rodents were captured on the crowns of coconut

compared to ground level suggesting crown trapping and crown baiting are more
effective in controlling rodent pests (Shat and Sujatha, 1987).

2. Funambulus tristristus Waterhouse, the Western ghat squirrel is a diurnal and

arboreal rodent inhabiting West coast and the evergreen forests of Western Ghats.
It is the second most abundant pest in coconut-cocoa cropping system, damaging
mature and dried coconut. It is also a pest on cocoa and other fruit crops like
mango, grapes, guava and sapota in the Western Ghats biome of Karnataka and
Kerala. It is omnivorous consuming paddy grains, male flowers of coconut, termites,
caterpillars, beetles and ants. Peak reproduction occurred during March, August
and October (Bhat, 1982).

3. Mus booduga Gray, the little Indian field mouse is the second most predominant
rodent found in coconut and cocoa plantations of Kerala. Population studies in
plantations of inter-mixed crops of cocoa, banana, pineapple, black pepper, jack,
leucaena, clove, nutmeg and lime revealed breeding activity throughout the year
with a peak during September to November. Percent pregnancy was 21.8 and
litter size varied from 2-8 (Bhat and Sujatha, 1991).

82
CONCLUSIONS
Plantation crops are predominantly grown in four out. of the five zones in
Kerala, the exception being Problem Area Zone where the cropping system is rice
based with coconut being grown as a major, supplementary crop. All other zones
have cropping systems based on plantation crops mainly coconut, areca nut,
cashew, rubber, pepper at lower altitudes and coffee, tea, rubber, pepper and
cardamom at higher altitudes. The topography, soil types, rainfall and other climatic
conditions do not vary drastically amongst the five zones except high altitudes
and coastal areas. Data on rodent species composition and damage is generated
only for the Northern zone which is indepth and exhaustive. Since the mandate of
the kasaragod centre of the AICRP on rodent control was to study the rodent
problem in plantation crops, the data generated at Northern zone may apply to
other zones too. Towards this end the species composition of rodents infesting
and causing damage to coconut, areca nut, cocoa, cashew and rubber have been
well documented. Based on data generated in other similar agro-climatic conditions,
the pest species are likely to be B.benga/ensis, M.booduga and M.me/tada in rice,
B.benga/ensis in banana, B.indica, H,indica and B.benga/ensis in tapioca and possibly
no rodents in pepper and ginger (Table 3). Table 3 gives a cursory glance at the
repertoire of insect pests, diseases and rodents pests of major crops of Kerala.

83
 VII. MADHYA PRADESH AND CHHATTISGARH
Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh lies almost in the centre of India between
17°26'N latitude and 74°84'E longitude. It is predominantly agrarian with 80 per
cent of the population engaged in it. The catchment area of four major rivers of
India, Yamuna, Ganga, Narmada and Godavari lay in these states. The land is
highly diverse ranging from less than 50 m above MSL to 1200m above MSL. Soil
types are alluvial, deep black, medium black, shallow black, mixed red and black,
mixed red and yellow and skeletal soils.

CLIMATE

The mean rainfall is 1143mm varying from 800mm in northern and western
parts to 1600mm in eastern districts and is received mostly during June to
September.

CROPPING PATTERN

Irrigation is limited. Main cereals grown are wheat, rice, jowar, maize and
minor millets. Important pulses are gram, black gram and red gram. Oil seeds
grown are linseed, groundnut, sesame, rapeseed and mustard. Soybean is grown
extensively.

AGROCLIMATIC ZONES

Twelve agro-climatic zones have been classified nable " Fig. 1) which are
described below.

1. CHATTISGARH PLAIN ZONE: The zone comprises most tehsils of Raigarh and
Kanker tehsil of Bastar district. The rainfall is erratic and varies from 1300mm to
1600mm. The four soil types are blata, matasi, dorsa and kanhar. The major crops
are rice, lathyrus, Kodon-kutki, linseed, wheat, black gram and gram. No commercial
crops except limited cultivation of sugarcane. Mango, guava, banana, orange etc.
are grown limitedly.

2. BASTAR PLATEU ZONE : It consists of Bastar division except the tehsil of

Kanker. The land is undulatinOg with slopes of varying magnitudes. Annual rainfall
varies from 1200-1600mm. Temperature is stable and relative humidity is around
34%. Soil is loamy sand, sandy loam, silty loam in slopes and loamy to clayey in
levelled areas. During kharit rice, Kodo-katki (minor millet), kuJthi, maize, ragi,
jowar, black gram and niger are grown. The rabi crops are rape, mustard, linseed,
wheat, kulthi etc.

3. NORTHERN HILL ZONE" OF CHHATTISGARH: This zone comprises of Surguja,

Singrauli tehsils of Sidhi, Shehdol, Mandla, Joshpur and Dhamajaigarh tehsil of
Raigarh. The climate is sub humid and the mean rainfall is 1455mm ranging from
~" 84
 I.

2. Bn.lJtl1r Platenu ZODQ

3. NDrth Hill Zone of ChatUtlllHb
4. Kymore Platenu nnd Salpura Hill 1:one
5. Vindhya Plateau ZOtl.,
6. C.,,,trlll Narmada Vall ey ZOlle
7. Gl1d zone
8. Bundelkho.nd Zo"e
9. Satpura Plateau Zone
10. Malwa Plateau Zone
11. Nimar Valley Zone
12. Jbabua Hilla Zone

Fig. 1. Agro climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh

1248mm to 1727mm. Mean minimum temperature is 17.5°C and mean maximum
temperature is 33.2°C. Hilly regions are cooler. Topography of land is hilly and
undulating consequent to differences in moisture retention which has resulted in
the formation of different soil classes. These. are upland unbounded, upland
bounded, low land and extreme low land. In hilly areas, soils are stoney, coarse,
red and yellow in colour. In upland fields, the soils are sandy reddish brown in
colour. In low lying fields, soils are clay loam with good moisture retention capacity.
The major kharif crops are rice, Kodo-kutki and maize. Mustard, gram and sesame
are also grown.
4. KYMORE PLATEAU AND SATPURA Hill ZONE: the zone comprises of Jabalpur,
Panna, Satna, Rewa, Swoni and Gopadbana, Deosar tehsil of Sidhi. Twenty seven
percent of the land area is occupied by forests. The average rainfall ranges between
1200 to 1500mm. Soil is varying, ranging from mixed red and black to medium
and deep black soils. Wheat is cultivated in largest area followed by paddy, gram
and Kodo-kutkhi. Linseed, jowar, pigeon pea, sesame, rape and mustard are also
grown.
5. VINDHYA PLATEAU RANGE: It comprises of parts of Guna, Damoh, Sagar,
Vidisha, Bhopal, Raisen and Sehore districts. Soil is characteristic black soil,
mostly medium in depth, a small proportion is deep black and shallow soil. Climate

85
Table 1 : Agro climatic zones, crops and rodent pest species of Madhya Pradesh

Zone Dislricls/laluks Soillype Rainfall Crops/Cropping Rodent

Ran~/m!IlJ s~stem -- sQecies
CHA TTISGARH Durg, Raipur, Blata 1300-1600 Rice, lathyrus, Bb, Mm
PLAIN ZONE Balaghat, Matasi Kodo-kutki,
Rajnandgaon, Dorsa linseed, wheat,
Bilaspur. Raigarh. Kanhar black gram, gram,
Savangarh and sugarcane.
Gharghoda
tehsils of Raigarh
and Kanker
tehsils of Baslar.
BASTAR Bastar except Loamy 1200-1600 Rice, Kodo-kutki,
PLATEAU ZONE Kanker tehsil. sand, Kulthi, maize, ragi,
Sandy jowar, black gram,
loam, Silty niger, rape, NA'
loam, loam, mustard, linseed,
loamy 10 wheat.
clayey
NORTH HILL Surguja, Singrauli Clay loam 1248-1727 Rice, Kodo-kutki,
ZONE OF tehsil of Sldhi, maize, mustard,
CHA TTISGARH Shehdol, Mandla gram, sesame
NA*
Joshpur,
Dhamajaigarh
tehsil of Raigarh.
KYMORE Jabalpur, Panna, Mixed red & 1200-1500 Wheat, rice, gram, Mm, Rr, Mms,
PLATEAU AND Salna, Rewa, black, Kodo-kutki, Fp. Bb, Mb, Ti
SATPURA HILL Seoniand Medium & linseed, jowar,
ZONE Gopadhana, deep black pigeon pea,
Deosar tehsil of sesame, rape and
Sidhi. mustard.
VINDHYA Chachora & Black soil, 1000-1200 Rice, wheat, Rr, Bb
PLATEAU ZONE Raghogarh Deep black sorghum & maize.
lehsils of Guna, & shallow.
Damoh, Sagar,
Vidisha, Raison,
Gairatgunj,
Begamgunj,
Silwani,
Goharganj &
Udaipur tehsils of
Raisen, Sehore,
Ashta, Ichhawar,
Nasullaganj
tehsils of Sehora.
CENTRAL Seoni, Malwa, Oeep black, 1000-1200 Pulses, arhar & Mm. Bb, Rr
NARMADA Hoshangabad & clay. red gram, wheat,
VALLEY Sohagpur tehsils soybean, minor
of Hoshangaba.d, millets, cotton.
Narasinghpur &
Budhmi tehsils at
Sehore, 8avelli
tehsil of Raisen.

86
 Zone Districts/taluks Soil type Rainfall Crops/Cropping Rodent
(Range/mm) system species
GRID ZONE Bhind, Morena, Alluvial, 566-977 Rice, wheat,
Gwalior, Shivpuri, Medium sorghum, pearl
Kalaras, Pohri black, millet, maize, rape
tehsils of Mixed red & seed, mustard. NA"
Shivpuri, Mungdi black, Red
& Ashoknagar & yellow.
tehsils of Guna.
BUNDELKHAND Datia, Tikamgarh, Clay, clay 750- Wheat, gram,
ZONE Chattoorpur, loam, 1100mm jowar, sesame,
Karera & Pachore Sandy loam barley, paddy,
tehsils of Shivpuri minor millets,
and Guna tehsils black gram, NA'
of Guna. soybean, ginger,
sugarcane,
potato.
SATPURA Chindwara, Betal Reddish 700-1400 Rice, wheat, Rr, Bb. Mm.
PLATEAU ZONE brown to sorghum, maize. Mms, Fp
black clay
loam.
MALWA Mandsaur, Medium Sorghum, maize, Rr, Mm. Mus
PLATEAU ZONE Rajgarh, Ujjain, black, Deep soybean, gram, sp.
Indore, Dewas, black, wheat.
Dhar, Badnawar Shallow
& Sardarpura soil, (Sandy
tehsils of Dhar, clay loam)
Shajapur, Rattam
& Pettwad tehsils
of Jhabua.
NIMAR VALLEY Nimar, Harda Shallow Uncertain Cotton, sorghum,
ZONE tehsilof deep rice, wheat, pearl
Hoshangabad, millet, maize, NA*
Manawar tehsi/s black gram,
of Dhar. ground nut.
JHABUA HILL Jhabua, Thobat, Skeletal 600-800 Maize, jowar,
ZONE Jobat, AliraJpur soil, shallow black gram,
te/lsils of Jhabua, (clay to clay brinjal, gram, NA*
Kukshi tehsilof loam), groundnut.
Dhar. Black soil
NA*-Not available

is sub tropical and annual rainfall is 1000 to 1200mm. Summers are very hot and
winters are very cold. Crops cultivated are rice, wheat, sorghum and maize.
6. CENTRAL NARMADA VAllEY,. The valley region consists of parts of
Hoshangabad, Sehore and Raien districts. Soils are mainly deep black with 40-
60% clay, Rainfall range is 1000-1200mm. Pulse cultivation dominates kharif and
rabi with arhar in the former, gram and red gram in the latter. In the wheat belt,
kharif soybean is followed by rabi wheat. Minor millets, cotton are also grown
considerably.
7. GRID ZONE: It consists of parts of Shivpuri and Guna districts. Most of the
soil is of alluvial group falling into alluvial, medium black, mixed red and black,
and red and yellow soil. Average rainfall is 738mm, range being 566 to 977mm.

87
Major crops are rice, wheat, sorghum, pearl millet and maize. Considerable area is
under the cultivation of rape seed, mustard and pulses.
8. BUNDELKHAND ZONE: The Bundelkhand region comprises of many tehsils of
Shivpuri and two tehsils of Guna. The elevation of the zone varies from 266m to
560m above MSL. The topography of the zone is characterised by flat land, small
percentage of slope and hillocks. Soil variety comprises of clay, clay loam and
sandy loam. Rainfall ranges from 750mm to 1100mm. Minimum temperature is
4.50C and maximum is 43°C. Wheat, gram and jowar are the major crops of the
zone followed by sesame, barley, paddy, minor millets and black gram. Soybean,
ginger, betelvine, sugarcane, potato, turmeric, colocasia, sweet potato etc. are
also grown.
9. SATPURA PLATEAU ZONE: It comprises Chindwar and Betul districts. The
total area under forest is about 31 %. The soils vary from light reddish brown to
black clay loam. Crop cultivation almost entirely depends on rain. The range of
rainfall is 700-1400mm. Rice, wheat, sorghum and maize are the major crops.
10. MAlWA PLATEAU ZONE: It comprises of Mandsaur, Rajgarh, Ujjain, Indore,
Dewas, parts of Dhar and Jhabua districts. The zone lies 450-675mm ~bove MSL
Hilly and mountainous, surrounded by Vindhyan range on the south, east and
west. Soil is mostly medium black. Deep black and shallow soils are also common.
Soils are mostly heavy with sandy clay loam to clay texture. Rainfall varies from
800-1200mm. Sorghum, maize and soybean are the major crops during kharif
while gram and wheat are cultivated during rabi.
11. NIMAR VALLEY ZONE: It includes parts of Nimar, Hoshangabad and Dhar
districts. Land is undulated, soil is shallow in nature and rainfall is uncertain.
Cotton is the most important crop. Sorghum is cultivated in maximum area. Rice,
wheat, pearl millet, maize, black gram and groundnut are also grown.
12. JHABUA HILL ZONE: It comprises of parts of Jhabua and Dhar districts lying
at an altitudinal range of 450-700"m above MSL. The climate is arid to sub arid
with an annual rainfall of 600-800mm. The minimum temperature is 10DC and the
maximum goes upto 41 DC. Due to rolling topography most of the soil is shallow
and is classified as skeletal soil. Soil is generally gravely and brownish. The
texture is clay and clay loam. Black soil characterises valleys. Maize is the most
cultivated crop, followed by jowar, black gram, Bengal gram and groundnut. Cotton
is cultivated in black soil.

DISTRIBUTION OF RODENT PEST SPECIES IN MADHYA PRADESH AND

CHHATTISGARH (Table 2)
Data has been generated for six agro climatic zones of the state. The species
diversity is maximum in Kymore plateau and Satpura hill range. The paddy-wheat
region of the zone was infested by M.meltada, R.rattus, M.musculus, F.pennantJ~
B.bengalensis, M.booduga and T.indica. while the jowar-wheat zone was less

88
species rich with five species of rodents namely, R.rattus, B.bengalensis,
M.muscu/us, M.me/tada and F.pennanti. In the paddy-moong-wheat belt of Vindhya
plateau only two species were recorded namely R.rattus and B.benga/ensis. The
paddy-soybean cultivation in Malwa plateau reigon was infested by R.rattus and
M.me/fada. Paddy in Chattisgarh plain zone was damaged by B.benga/ensis and
M.meltada. Three species namely, M.me/fada, B.benga/ensis and R.rattus were
reported for Central Narmada valley. The cotton-jowar belt of Malwa-agro climatic
zone was infested by M.rne/tada and Mus species.
PEST STATUS OF RODENTS AND CROPS WISE DAMAGE (TABLE 3)
(a) Wheat : The crop was infested by B.benga/ensis during the early stages of
study (1983-1989) and by M.rne/tada in later stage (1991-92). During 1997-98
three species viz. M.rne/tada, B.bengalensis and M.booduga were observed to
damage wheat crop. The damage to crops reported was 90.45kg/ha and 5.01 %
during 1991-92 and 1997-98, respectively.
(b) Rice: Fields were intested by B.benga/ensis only during 1985-86 and by R.rattus
and B.benga/ensis in 1988-89. B.benga/ensis, R.rattus and M.booduga were seen
in 1991-92 while in later years (1997-98) only M.me/tada and B.benga/ensis were
observed. Damage ranged 1.5 to 19.03% yield loss and varied over the years.
(c) Groundnut : The crop was damaged by F.pennanti and M.me/tada. Squirrels
damaged the sown seeds upto 16.89%. Damage was inflicted from sowing to
harvest stage and was 13.4% in 1983-84.
(d) Gram : It was infested by B.bengalensis, R.rattus and M.me/tada. S.rnurinus
was also trapped. Maximum yield loss was 14-16.5%.
(e) Sugarcane: The sugarcane was damaged in the range of 1.66 to 8.77% by
B. benga/ensis.
(f) Soybean : It was damaged more in periphery than in centre by R.rattus,
B.benga/ensis and M.rne/tada. The yield loss was 28.61 % and 44.8 kg/ha.
(9) Opium: The husk was damaged significantly more than the seed. M.booduga
and M.rne/tada were the pests damaging the crop.
(h) Potato: B.benga/ensis and M.meltada hoarded 7.89 kg/ha in their burroows.
(i) Chick pea: B. benga/ensis and M. me/tada caused an yield loss of 2.79 %.

(j) Mushroom: Apart from feeding on spawn and mushroom, there was
contamination of mushroom with hair and faecal pellets of rats.
(k) Cactus: B.benga/ensis burrowed under the bush and sliced the branches.
(I) Tomato: 10kg/burrow was hoarded by B.benga/ensis.

89
Table 2 : Rodent species distribution and composition in selected agro climatic zones of Madhya
Pradesh (Anon, 1983-84,85-86,86-87,88-89,91-92,95-96 & 97-981

Agro climatic zones Place/districts Associated crops Rodent specif'ls

KYMORE PLATEAU & Jabalpur Kundan a. Paddy-Wheat Mm, Rr, Mms, Fp, ab,
SATPURA HILL ZONE tehsil. Kalangi Rewa Soybean Mb, Ti
Mms>Rr>Fp.
Bb
Bb>Rr
b. Jowar-Wheat zone Rr::=Bb>Mm, Mms, Fp
VINDHYA PLATEAU Sehore Paddy, Moong, Wheat Rr>Bb
RANGE
MALWA PLATEAU Shahpur Paddy,Soybean Rr>Mm
REGION
CHATIISGARH PLAIN Balaghat Rice Bb>Mm
ZONE
CENTRAL NARMADA Mm, ab, Rr
VALLEY
MALWA-AGRO Cotton-Jowar Mm>Mus
CLIMATIC ZONE

Table 3 : Rodent damage to crops in Madhya Pradesh

Crop DC'1mage (%IYL) Species References
Wheat 27% tillers Bb Anon 1983-84
2
9.6-20.2g/m Bb Anon 1988-89
10.45kg/ha. Mm Anon 1991-92
5.01% Mm, ab, Mb Anon 1997-98
Paddy YL 19.03% Bb Anon 1985-86
YL 1.5-8.8% Rr, Bb Anon 1988-89
YL 2.45-3.6% Bb, Rr, Mb Anon 1991-92
4.81% Mm, Bb Anon 1997-98
Groundnut 13.4% sowing to harvest Fp,Mm Anon 1983-84
4.6109.8%
16.89% Fp Anon 1985-86
Gram 0.6% to plants Mm>Bb>Sm Anon 1983-84
YL 14-16.5% Bb . Anon 1986-87
2.5% Bb, Rr, Mm Anon 1988-89
Sugarcane 1.66-8.77% Bb Anon 1985-86
Soybean YL 28.54% in periphery Rr, ab, Mm Anon 1985-86
YL 12.46% in the centre
YL 28.61%
} Rr, ab
Anon
Anon
1986-87
1988-89
YL 9.3%, 44.8kg/ha. Rr, ab Anon 1991-92
Bengal gram ab Anon 1985-86
Opium Latex- 0.9 } Mm,Mb Anon 1991-92
2
Seed - 0.82 g/m
Husk-8.6
Potato 7.89kg hoarded/ha. ab, Mm Anon 1995-96
Chick pea YL2.79% Bb,Mm Anon 1997-98
Mushroom Damage to mushroom and spawn; Rr Thomas et al., 1995
contamination of grown
mushroom
Cactus Branches cut Bb Thomas, 1998

Tomato 10.5kg/burrow hoarded Bb Thomas et a/., 1986

90
CONCLUSIONS
The Madhya Pradesh unit of AICRP on rodent control was functional from
1983 to 2001 operating from Jawaharlal Krishi Vidhyalaya, Jabalpur. The species
composition of rodents was studied in six out of the twelve agro-climatic zones.
B.bengalensis, M.meltada and R.rattus were the predominant species damaging
various crops in Madhya Pradesh. The surprising observation is prevalence of
R.rattus, basically a commensal rodent infesting and damaging cultivated crops
in most of the zones studied. M.musculus, F.pennanti and M.booduga also occurred
but to a lesser extent. Cereals, pulses and horticultural crops were damaged
significantly. The consumption of Sown ground nut seeds by F.pennanti is an
interesting but an alarming phenomenon.

91
 VIII. NORTH EAST Hill REGION
The North Eastern Hill Region comprises the States of Manipur, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram (Fig.1) lying between
21.50 and 29.5° N latitudes and 85.5°- 97.5° E longitudes and representing a
distinct agro-climatic area of our country. Assam is situated in the centre and hill
states (excepting Sikkim), are situated around it.

CROPPING PATTERNS
In NEH region, rice-rice, rice-potato, maize -potato, potato-potato are the
promising cropping systems. Inter cropping of legumes with main crop gives
additional income without affecting the yield of main crop. Similarly in summer,
the inter-cropping of potato, soybean and maize fetches extra yield.
Earlier mono cropping with low yielding varieties of rice and maize was the
common practise in NEH Region. Now double and triple cropping systems have
been developed for upland and wetland areas.
Shifting cultivation or locally known as Jhum cultivation is one of the main
systems of cultivation practiced in the region. The second system of Jhumming is
the Bun cultivation, which is practised in East and West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi
district of Meghalaya for cultivating potato, sweet potato, ginger, vegetables etc.
AGRO·CLlMATIC ZONES
The entire North-East Hill Region has been divided into six distinct agro-
climatic zones namely, Alpine Zone, Temperate and Sub-Alpine Zone, Sub-Tropical
Hill Zone, Sub-Tropical Plain Zone, Mild Tropical Hill Zone and Mild Tropical Plain
Zone.
1. ARUNACHAL PRADESH: Climate ranges from sub-tropical to extreme alpine
type. The normal mean minimum and maximum temperature vary between 18 to
24°C in summer and 9.0 to 17. 7°C in winter. Heavy fog is common over the
mountain area of the State during most of the year. The temperature in the snow-
clad mountain remains - rc during winter.
2. MANIPUR : The State has moderate climate but great variations are seen in hills
and valleys. The average annual rainfall of the state is 2076 mm. The temperature
varies from 19.8 to 28.7°C in summer and 9.9 to 23.9°C in winter.
3. MEGHAlAYA : The upper plateau of Meghalaya has per-humid climate with
more than 2500 mm of annual precipitation. The Cherrapunjee-Mawsynram range
receives around 11500 mm af annual rainfa!1. In plateau area, the average
temperature varies from 19.0 to 26.3°C in summer and 11.5 to 22.0°C in winter.
The Eastern parts of the State have moderate summer but severe winters.
4. MIZORAM : The temperature varies from 16.5 to 29.5°C in summer and 10.6 to
26.1°C during winter. Being predominantly hilly, the state has moderate climate
with average rainfall varying from 1600 to 2200 mm.

92
 TIBET

1.RlftllU "it/dlU "IIIJUJ

2.RJttIIJSWllt'
3.RD;/U! nDrwKicus
4.RllttUJ ltIu",r Myemu
5 RGttuJbd-wtJ".f1
6.RDtiu.rflll/lalitl.u
7,RfltIu, ItM~'tllm
8,MwNUJ.JC,pw
9.MUJ6fMdup
lo.MW'('nl'll!clor
II.Bu(JJ/~ ktfglJJtmis
l2.1l.iIndiCtlIR' IntH,,, IUIfUH'1Wlfa
1:). V,JlfffUrlltlR oI~'.fJ.(rlf dlUrflJtl~oI~
l ...ea,molfty.r tHldllQ uri/us
U.Ctd/llclurw p)'t:~""h'lIJ

fit STATE C .... PiTA..

Fig. 1. States of North-Eastern Hill region and distribution of rodent species

5. NAGALAND : The state has varied type of climate ranging from sub-tropical in
Dimapur area to sub-temperate. The average temperature in Dimapur sub-division
is around 37°C. Annual rainfall of the state varies from 1500 to 2100 mm.
6. SIKKIM : The extreme variation in elevation accounts for various type of climatic
conditions. The areas below 600m elevations have humid mild tropical climate.
However, low temperature prevails in areas lying between 2000 to 6000 m above
M.S.L. The areas falling above 5000m elevation have perpetually snow-clad peaks.
The average temperature in the state varies from 17 to 26.2°C in summer and 9.1
to 20.2°C in winter. The state has an average rainfall of 3000 mm annually.
7. TRIPURA : The state has a typical monsoon type of climate. The foothill plains,
valleys and hills have different type of climate. The average annual rainfall of the
State varies from 1500 to 2500 mm and average temperature extends from 15.5
to 32.0DC during the year.
Soil types of entire region are acidic caused by high rainfall and leaching of
bases to lower horizons which results in poor plant growth.The soils of these
hilly state are classified into five orders viz., Alfisols, Entisols, Inseptisols, Mollisols,
Ultisols.

RODENT SPECIES, THEIR COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION AND SEASONAL

ACTIVITY

The North Eastern Hill Region of India is full of green vegetation and bamboo
forests. These forests have various agro-ecological systems of which jhum
CUltivation is most important. Rodents cause heavy losses to agricultural crops in

93
Table 1 : Rodent damage to crops and species involved in NEH region (Pathak and Kumar, 2001)
Crops Kharif
% damage Rodent species
1. Paddy B. benga/ensis
(a) Low land 4.6-16.8 R.rattus
(b) Upland 3.9-12.9 Mbooduga.

2. Maize 3.55-22.2 B. benga/ensls

R.rattus

3. Pine apple 2.6-20.3 B.benga/ensis

R.rattus

fields and storage in this region. They are known to create famine like situation in
Mizoram and Arunachal Prad.esh during the time of cyclical bamboo flowering.
The next cyclical bamboo flowerihg is expected in the year 2007.
In all the seven states of NEH region, rice and maize are the major crops
during kharif; mustard, cole crops and vegetables during rabi and summer. The
main vegetables grown are pea, broad bean, potato and brinjal. Damage estimates
aTe available only for rice, maize and pine apple (Table 1). Low land paddy was'
damaged at 4.6 to 16.8 % and damage to upland paddy was 3.9-12.9%. The
species causing damage were B.bengalensis, R.rattus and M.booduga. The range
of damage to maize was 3.9-12.9% and the species involved were B.bengalensis
and R.rattus. The two species caused 2.6 to 20.3% damage to pine apple (Pathak
and Kumar, 2001).
A survey conducted in all the states of NEH Region revealed that rodent
activity was highest in the areas where livestock and poultry are raised (Fig. 2).
This may be due to the presence of large Quantity of nutritious feed round the
year. Highest numbers of active burrows were recorded in upland cultivated areas
and Jhum fields, lowest density was seen in lowland cropped area and wastelands
(Fig. 2).

Fifteen species of rodents were recorded from North Eastern Hill Region,
belonging to the genus Rattus, Bandicota, Mus, Cannomys, Vandeleuria and
Callosciurus. B. bengafensis is the predominant species followed by R. nitidus,
M. musculus and R.rattus. The altitudinal distribution of rodents in the different
states is presented in Table 2 (Pathak and Kumar, 2001). B.bengafensis, R.rattus,
R.nitidus and M.musculus were recorded at all the altitudes varying from 0.0 to
5000m above MSL in all the states of NEH Region. Canomys badius badius was
limited to lower altitude i.e. 0-500m above MSL. Five species viz., R.r. tistae,
B. indica nemorivaga I M. cervicolor and C.p ygerithrus were seen at 501-1 OOOm
abvoe MSL. Sev'en species namely, R.r.khyensis, R.norvegicus, R.nitidus,
R.niviventer, R.bowersi, M.booduga and V.oleracia were found from 501 to 5000m
above MSL.

94
 1 . Lowland cropped area
2. Upland cropped area
3. Pineapple blocks
4. Jhum fields
5. Pine forests
6. Wastelands
7. Animal/Poultry farms
8. Residential ;lreas

2 3 4 5 6 7
AGRO·ECOSYSTEMS

Fig. 2. Status of active burrows in different a9ro-ecosystems

(Av. of 10 years: 1983-1993)

Table 2 Distribution of rodent species at different altitudes

Altitude (m above MSL)

Lower Medium High
Species
(0.0-500) {501-1000) (1001-5000)
1. Rattus nit/dus nit/dus R* R R
2. Rattus raltus R R R
3. Rattus raltus khyensis NR" R R
4. Rattus rattus tistae NR R NR
5. Rattus norveg/cus NR R R
6. Rattus niviventer NR R R
7. Rattus bowers! NR R R
8. Band!cota bengalensis R R R
9. Bandicota indica nemor/vaga NR R NR
10. Cannomys badius badlus R NR NR
11. Mus museu/us R R R
12. Mus bo.oduga NR R R
13. Mus cervicolor NR R NR
14. Vande/euria a/eracla dUmatico/a NR R R
15. Callosciurus pygerithrus R R NR
*R: Recorded **NR: Not recorded

The highest density of B.bengalensis (LB/ha.) was recorded during July~

September (Fig. 3). The rodent activities started increasing from March onward
when the crops and vegetation were available and reached the peak between July
to October at crop maturity stage. Density of rodents was low between December
and February (Fig.2).

95
Table 3 : Relative distribution of rodent pests in the NEH region

Rodent species composition

State Minor Crops/Facilities Affected
Major
Arunachal Rattus nitidus Rattus raltus tislae Rice, Maize, Tuber crops and
Pradesh Rattus (attus Bandicota Bengalensis Fruits
Mus musculus Vande/et/ria a/eraeea Godowns & Houses

Manipur a.bengalensis R.rattus Rice, Maize

Mmusculus R.r.tistae
R.nitidus
Meghalaya a.bengalensis R.norvegjcus Rice, Maize, Groundnut,
R.nitidus R.r.tistae Soybean, Sweet potato,
Mmuscu/us R.nivivente( Pineapple
R.rattus a.indica Godowns & Houses
Mizoram M.musculus R.nitidus Rice, Maize, Jhum crops
R.rattus Mbooduga
a.benga/ensis Godowns & Houses
R.norvegicus
C.pygerythrus
R.r,tistae
Nagaland R.rattus C.badius badius Paddy, Maize, Tuber crops,
a.bengalensis R.nitidus Pineapple, Jhum crops
Mmusculus
Sikkim R.nitidus R.r.tistae Paddy, Maize, Jhum crops
Mmuscu/us M.booduga
R.raltus
a.benga/ensis

Tripura Mmuseu/us R.nitidus Paddy, Tuber crops, Maize,

a.benga/ensis R.r.tistae Pineapple, Jhum crops,
R.rattus C.pygerythrus Godowns
Over all a.benga/ensis Rattus nitidus
Rattus nitidus R,r,tistae
Mus musculus Rattus nivivente(
Rattus (attus aandjcata indica

THE STATE WISE DISTRIBUTION OF RODENT SPECiES IN NEH REGION IS AS

FOLLOWS (Table 3; Plate 7).
(a) Arunachal Pradesh: The major species are R,nitidus, R.rattus, M.musculus.,
R.r.tistae and B.bengalensis. V.oleracia occur to a lesser extent.
(b) Manipur: B.bengalensis, M.musculus and R.nitidus are the major species. The
two Rattus species, R.rattus and R.r. tistae are the minor species.
(e) Meghalaya: 8~bengalens;s, R.nitidus, M.musculus and R.rattus occurred more
than R.norvegicus, R.r. tistae, R.niviventer and B.indica.
(d) Mizoram: Only two species occurred in very large numbers namely, M.musculus
and R.rattus. The minor species were R.nitidus, M.booduga, B.bengalensis,
R.norvegicus, C.pygerythrus and R.r. tistae.

96
 Monthwise rodent density of B. bengalensis
(Av. of 10 years: 1983-1993)

10

MOr/TH

Species composition of rodents in NEH region

,., ,.

MANIPUR

1. Rattus nit/dus 2. Rattus rattus 3. Rattus· norveg/cus 4. Rattus rattus khyensis

5. Rattus bowers; 6. Rattus rattus t/st<le 7. Rattus nivienter 8. Mus musculus
9. Mus booduga 10. Mus cerv/coior 11. Bandicota bengaiensis 12. Bandicota Indica
nemor/vaga 13. Vande/euria o/eracea dumal/coia 14. Cannomys bad/us badius
15. Callosciurus pygerythrus
(e) Nagaland: Three species of rodents viz., R.rattus, B.bengalensis and M.musculus
are major pests. The minor pests are C.badius badius and R.nitidus.
R.nitidus, M.musculus, R.rattus and B.bengalensis are the major species.
(f) Sikkim:
Only two species were minor viz., R.r. tistae and M.booduga.
(g) Tripura: M.musculus, B.benga/ensis and R.rattus are the major species and the
minor species are R.nitidus, R.r. tistae and C.pygerythrus.
(h) Major species: Bandicota benglensis is the predominant species (31.57%)
followed by Rattus nitidus (24.51 %), Mus musculus (16.88%) and Rattus rattus
(14.35%). These species are causing considerable damage in the fields as well in
houses and god owns
Ii) Minor species: Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus tistae, Rattus niviventer and
Bandicota indica nemorivaga constitute 4.48%, 2.91 %, 2.05% and 1.29% of the
total population, respectively.
Other species viz., Mus booduga, Callosciurus pygerithrus, Mus c'ervic%r,
Vande/euria o/eracea dumatico/a, Rattus bowersi, Cannomys badius badius and
Rattus rattus khyensis constitute 1.96% of the total population (Plate 7).
The pest and disease complex of major crops of Meghalaya is presented in
Table 4: Pests and diseases of major crops in Meghalaya
CROP MAJOR PESTS MAJOR DISEASES RODENT PEST
SPECIES
PADDY Stem borer, Gundhi bug, Blast and leaf spot B.bengalensis
leaf folder and rice root
aphid
MAIZE Cob borer and stem Turcicum blight B. bengalensis,
borer R.rattus, Mbooduga
LEGUMES Leaf folder, blister beetle Angular Leaf spot a.bengaJensis
SOYBEAN Leaf folder, stem fly Soy bean rust a.bengalensis
GROUNDNUT Leaf folder, blister beetle Tikka and rust a.bengaJensis
R.nitidus
POTATO PTM, cut worm Early and late blight None
SWEET POTATO Weevil, tortoise beetle, Leaf spot and R.nitidus and
leaf feeding caterpillars antracnouse a.benga lensis
PINE APPLE Mealy bug a.benga lensis
R.nitidus
R.rattus
GINGER Stem borer weevil and
None
lepidopteran borer
FORESTS Eurostyles punctigera
1. Micahelia champaka bug
NA*
2. Gmalina orborea Craspedonta
Leyana beeUe
PASTURES
V.oleracia
WASTE LANDS
ANIMAL/POULTRY SHEDS Ticks and mites Diarrhea, Foot & Mbooduga, Rrattus,
Mouth diseases a. bengalensis
NA*-Not available

97
Table 4. B.bengalensis was the sale rodent species damaging paddy, legumes and
soybean. B. bengalensis and R.nitidus infested groundnut and sweet potato fields.
M.booduga, R.rattus and B.benga/ensis were found in maize and live stock facilities
like animal and poultry sheds. B.bengalensis, R.nitidus and R:rattus damaged
pine apple. Only V.o/eracia was recorded from pastures and wastelands.
In recent years it has been observed that the population of Rattus rattus and
Rattus nitidus, which were the predominant species in residential areas and fields,
respectively, are continuously decreasing in comparison to previous years.
Simultaneously B.benga/ensis is establishing its predominance in residential areas
as well as in fields.

BAMBOO FLOWERING VIS-A-VIS UPSURGE IN RODENT POPULATION

Bamboo is a potential resource of NEH Region. Among seven states of NEH,
Mizoram occupies highest (38.0%) area under bamboo forest, followed by
Meghalaya (26.8%). Me/ocana bacifera is the most common species of bamboo in
almost all the states.
The predominant rodent species associated with bamboo flowering in Manipur
and Assam are the white bellied rat, Rattus rattus bullocki, Manipur rat, Rattus
manipulus, B.benga/ensis and B.indica.
The minor rodent pests were R.r.brunneuseulus, R.r. tistae, R.bowersi,
V.oJeracea, H.humei, M.f.coolie, D.erumpi, C.b.badius and R.pruinosis (Datta and
Bora, 2003). Earlier R.rattus was reported to be the predominant species followed
by R.nitfdus and B.bengalensis during the 1991-94 bamboo flowering (Bhattacharjee
et al., 1998).
Mizoram has been suffering from historical, periodic cycles of famines,
Mautam (flowering of Me/oeanna baeeifera) and Thingtam (flowering of
Dendroca/amus longispathes and Bambusa tulda). The Mautam is reported to
occur thirty years after Thingtam and Thingtam occure eighteen year after Mautam.
The effects of the two famines are however, different in magnitude. Mautam is
considered to be more devastating than Thingtam. Based on the previous records
and relevant facts it is predicted that the mass flowerLng of bamboo will occur in
an estimated area of 18,000 square kilometres in the states of Mizoram, Tripura,
Manipur and parts of Assam and Meghalaya during 2005-2007. The epicentre of
bamboo flowering will be in Mizoram. As precautionary measures for combating
the impending Mautam, monitoring of bamboo flowering and accompanying rodent
population increase, several measures like purchase of rat tail to encourage public
partiCipation in rodent control program, free supply of locally fabricated traps, use
of safer rodenticides, creating public awareness and motivation for community
rodent control have been taken up. AINP on Rodent control (ICAR) and Directorate
of Plant Protection Quarantine and storage (Govt. of India) is keeping a close vigil
on the situation of mass flowering of bamboo viz-a-vis rodent population buildup
in collaboration with concerned States.

98
CONCLUSIONS
The NEH centre of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control
was established in 1982 at the ICAR Research complex for the NEH region at
Barapani, Meghalaya. Considerable data has been generated on density and species
composition of rodents in the different agro-climatic zones of the area. Although
estimate of damage to different crops is not exhaustive, the data on distribution
of rodent species is well documented. The precautionary and preventive measures
to combat/lessen the impact of 2005-2007 bamboo flowering and accompanying
famine have been initiated.

99
 IX. PUNJAB

The state of Punjab is situated between the latitude of 29° to 32° North and
longitude of 72° to 76° East. With 70% of the population involved in farming,
agriculture contributes around 43 % to the total revenue of the state. The state in
turn contributes about 55% of the surplus food grains to the national food stock.

SOILS
The soils of Punjab have developed on the alluvium deposited by the Satlej
and Beas rivers. They are of three major categories namely aridic, ustic and udic
types. Irrigation is extensive with about 85 % of the net cropped area under
irrigation, the largest proportion of 97% in Amritsar district and the least of 39%
in Hoshiarpur.

CLIMATE

Climate has wide variations with very cool winters and extremely hot summers.
The rainfall varies from 300mm in the south western parts to 1400 mm in northern
and north eastern parts. Of the two growing seasons kharif extends from June to
November and rabi spreads from October to April.

LAND USE AND MAJOR CROPS

Out of the total geographical area, 83.2% is net sown area, 4.4% is under
forest cover and the remaining is fallow and waste land. The major two crop
systems are: Rice-wheat, Cotton-wheat, Maize-wheat, Groundnut-wheat, Arhar-
wheat, Bajra-wheat and Rice-lentil. The major three crop systems are: Maize-
potato-wheat, Rice-potato-wheat, Rice-rape seed-mustard, Rice-rape seed-mustard,
rice-wheat-moong) and Maize-chari-berseem.

Wheat is the major rabi crop. Other crops grown in rabi are barley, gram, rape
seed and mustard. Rice is the most cultivated crop during kharif followed by
maize, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut and pearl millet. Potato is cultivated in large
areas. Cauliflower, tomato, chillies, brinjal, okra, cucurbits, leguminous and root
vegetables are also grown. Citrus is the largest cultivated fruit. The other fruits
raised are peach, guava, ber and grapes.

AGROCLIMATIC ZONES (Table 1, Fig. 1)

Based on physiography, climate, rainfall, water resources and soil

characteristics, Punjab is divided into five agro-climatic zones (Table 1 & Fig. 1)
namely, Zone I-Sub montane undulating zone, Zone II - Undulating plain zone,
Zone 111- Central plain zone, Zone IV- Western plain zone and Zone V- Western
zone.

100
1. SUB MONTANE UNDULATING ZONE: This zone extends along the eastern
border of the state with just 10 to 20 km in width in most of the region except in
Gurudaspur district where it is much wider. The zone consists of part of
Gurudaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar and Patiala districts. Soil is medium to heavy
textured as well as light to medium textured. Rainfall received is 50-300mm.
During kharif maize and paddy are the major crops while ground nut and sugarcane
are grown considerably .. Wheat is the chief crop during rabi. Mango is grown over
a large area. Guava in Ropar and litchi in Pathankot are the other fruits cultivated.

2. UNDULATING PLAIN ZONE: This zone consists of western parts of Gurudaspur

and Hoshiarpur districts, parts of jallandhar, Ropar, Ludhiana and Patiala districts.
Rainfall ranges 800-900mm. The northern parts of the zone have medium to heavy
textured soil while southern parts have light to medium textured soil. During
kharif, paddy is the major crop followed by maize. Sugarcane cultivation is also
considerable. Wheat is the principal crop in rabi. Oilseeds are also important crops
in several areas. Amongst fruits, mango occupies largest area. Litchi, citrus and
guava are grown in certain pockets.

3. CENTRAL PLAIN ZONE: It comprises almost the whole of Amritsar district,

flood plains of Rabi and Beas rivers, western parts of Gurudaspur district, entire
district of Kapurthala, most of Jallandhar and Ludhiana districts, parts of Ferozepur,

101
Table 1 : Agroclimatic zones and major crops of Punjab

ZONE Districts & taluks Soil type Rain Cropping system Major
fall rodent
(range) species
SUB'- Parts of Gurudaspuf, Medium to 50- Maize and Paddy Bb, Mm,
MONTANE Hoshiarpur, Ropar, heavy 300mm based. Wheat, Mus,Ge
UNDULATING Patiala Dts. textured, sugar cane, ground
ZONE Light to nut, guava, litchi.
medium
textured.
UNDULATING Parts of Gurudaspur, Medium to 800- Paddy, Maize & Bb, Mm, Ti,
PLAIN ZONE Hoshiarpur, Jallundar, heavy 900mm Sugar cane based Mus,Ge
Ropar, Ludhiana and textured, (Kharif). Wheat
Patiala Dts. Light to (rebJ) , oilseeds,
medium mango, litchi, citrus,
textured guava.
CENTRAL Most of Amritsar Dt., Medium to 50- Paddy and Wheat Mm, Bb, Ti,
PLAIN ZONE flood plains of river Ravi heavy 500mm based. Maize, Mus
and Beas, Parts of textured, groundnut, cotton,
Gurudaspur Dt., most Light to sugar cane, gram,
parts of Kapurthala, Medium barley, pear, guava.
Jallundar and Ludhiana, textured
parts of Ferozepur,
Sangrur, and Patiala Dts.
WESTERN Parts of Firozepur, Medium to 400- Cotton based, Mm, Bb, Ti
PLAIN ZONE Amritsar & Faridkot Dts., heavy, 500mm Paddy -Pulses,
,)arts of Sangrur & Medium with Bajra-Pulses,
Bhatinda Dts. mild to ' cotton, moo_ng,
serious alkali maize, sugar cane,
problem soils. oil seeds, gram,
pear, guava
WESTERN Parts of Bhatinda, Sandy to 200- Cotton-gram-wheat Ti, Mm,
ZONE Faridkot and Ferozepur Sandy loam, 500mm moong, wheat, Mus, Ge
Dis. Alluvial barley, bajra,
deposits, cotton, rice, maize,
highly pulses & oil seeds.
calcareous Bajfa-Paddy.
and rich in
lime.

Sangrur and Patiala districts. The temperature varies from 4°C in January to 41°C
in summer. Rainfall varies a lot ranging 50 to 500 mm. Soil is medium to heavy
textured, and light to medium textured. Paddy is the principal crop during kharif.
Other kharif crops are maize, groundnut, cotton and sugarcane, During rabi, wheat
is the major crop. Gram and barley are also raised, Pear and guava are major fruit
crops followed by grapes,

4. WESTERN PLAIN lONE: Parts of Firozepur, Amritsar, Faridkot, Sangrur and

Bhatinda districts form this zone. The soils are medium to heavy, medium with
mild to serious alkali problem. Annual rainfall varies 400-500mm. During kharif,
paddy, American cotton, moong and maize are grown extensively. To some extent

102
bajra and sugarcane are also cultivated. Wheat is the principal crop during rabi, oil
seeds, gram and barley are other important crops of rabi.
5. WESTERN ZONE: The zone comprises parts of Bhatinda r Faridkot and Ferozepur
districts.. Soils are sandy to sandy loam, are alluvial deposits, highly calcareous
and rich in lime. The annual rainfall varies from 200-500 mm. Pulses and oil seeds
are grown extensively during kharif. Wheat is the major rabi crop followed by
barley, bajra r American cottonr rice and maize.
PEST STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Of RODENTS
The crop fields had a more diverse species composition comprising of N. indica,
G.ellioti, M.platythrix, M.booduga and M.musculus. M.hurrianae was found in
crop fields and wasteland. Commensal species R.rattus and M.musculus inhabited
residential premises, godowns, warehouses, stores and poultry farms. Orchards
were predominantly infested by the squirrel r F.pennanti.
(a) Wheat (Tables 3 & 4): The crop was mainly infested by B.benga/ensis, T.indica
and M.meltada in the undulating plain zone which caused 3.9-5.2% loss in 1989
and 3.9-12% in 1991.
(b) Paddy (Tables 3 & 4): The damage was quite high at 1.1 to 17.5%. In undulating
plain zone, the crop was damaged by B.bengalensis, M.meltada, T.indica and Mus
but in western plain only B.bengalensis occurred.
(e) Millet (Table 4): T.indica and Mus were the major pests in western plain zone.
(d) Sugarcane : The losses ranged form 2.1 to 21.6% caused by B.benga/ensis,
T.indica, R.me/tada and Mus (Table 3). G.ellioti also occurred (Table 4).
(e) Maize (Tables 3 & 4) : Damage to maize was 10.7%. B.bengalensis and
M.meltada infested maize 'fields in undulating plain zone. When maize was grown
along with bajra and chari, the species damaging were B.benga/ensis, TJndica,
Mus, M.booduga in undulating plain zone and only B.bengalensis in central plain
zone (Table 4).
(f) Bajra+ paddy + sugarcane : This cropping system had infestation of
B.bengalensis, T.indica and Mus in undulating plain zone and B.bengalensis,
M.me/tada, T.indica and Mus in central plain zone.
Table 2: Species composition of rodents in different habitats of Punjab (1978-84)

Habitat Rodent species reported

Crop fields, Grassland B.bengalensis
R.meltada
T.indica
Crop fields N.indica, G.elloti, M.platythrix, M.boodug8, M.musculus
Crop fields & waste lands M.humane
Residential premises, Godowns, R.rattus, Mmusculu$
Warehouses, Stores, Poultry farms.
Orchards F.pennantl

103
Table 3 : Rodent species infesting and damage caused to cultivated crops in Punjab (based on
Parshad 1999)

Crop Damage Rodent pests References

Crop stage

Wheat Pre harvest Bb, Ti Malhi and Parshad'

1989
Pre harvest Bb, Rm Parshad, 1991
Rice Preharvest Bb, Rm Anon, 1991
Irrigated
Sugarcane Partially damaged Bb, Ti, Rm, Mus Ahmad and
canes Parshad, 1985
Dried canes 3.2
Total YL 3833
Maize Seedling stage 10.7 Anon 1995
Groundnut Plants & pods 3.9-19.0 Ti, Rm, Mus, Mb Parshad et a/.,
1987

Table 4: Zone wise distribution of rodent species in Punjab (1986-2002)*

ZONES
CROP SUB MONTANE UNDULATING CENTRAL WESTERN WESTERN
UNDULATING PLAIN PLAIN PLAIN
Wheat Bb, Mm, Ti
Wheat+Maize Bb, Ti, Gb Ti, Mus,
Bb, Ge
Paddy Bb, Mm, Ti, Mus Bb
Millet Ti, Mus
Maize Bb, Mm
BaJra+Maize+Chari Bb, Ti, Mus, Mb Bb
Bajra+Paddy+Sugarcane - Bb, Ti, Mus Bb, Ti,
Mus, Mm
Sugarcane Bb, Rm, Ti, Mus, Bb, Mm,
Ge Ti, Mus
Sorghum Ge, Mussp
Groundnut Bb, Ti, Mus, Ge Mus sp., Ti
Cotton Mm,Bb, Ti
Mus, Ti
Fodder Bb, Ti,
Mus, Mm
Barren land Ti, Mus Ti, Bb, Mm Ti, Mus,
Mm
Forest area Ti, Mm, Mus
Residential area,
Rr>Bb>Mms - - - - - - - - - .
godowns, poultry etc
* Based on Annual Progress Reports of AICRP on Rodent Control, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

104
(g) Groundnut: Damage was severe at 3.9-19% (Table 3). B.benga/ensis, T,indica,
Mus and G.ellioti infested groundnut in undulating plain and B.benga/ensis,
M.me/tada, T.indica and Mus in western zone.
(h) Cotton: The cotton fields had M.meltada, B.bengalensis, Mus and T.indica in
central plain zone.
(i) Fodder : The fields were infested by B.bengalensis, T.indica, Mus sp and
M.me/tada in central plain zone.
(j) Bajra : This crop was infested by B. bengalensis and G. ellioti, whereas bajra-
maize fields harboured only B.bengalensjs.
(k) Oats: It was infested by B.bengalensis only.
(I) Sorghum : This crop infested by G.el/joti and Mus sp. in western zone.
(m) Musk melon: It was infested by B.bengalensis, M.meltada and Mus.
(n) Barren land: The barren lands had T.indica, M.meltada and Mus in submontane
undulating zone, T.indica. B.bengalensis and M.meltada infested undulating plain
zone while T.indica, Mus infested western zone (Table 4).
(0) Forests: The forest areas had only T.indica and Mus in sub montane undulating
plain zones (Table 4).
(p) Residential premises, godowns, stores and poultry : These indoor habitats had
the two ubiquitous commensals, R.rattus and M.musculus in addition to the
emerging commensal, B.bengalensis in all the zones (Table 4).

Table 5 : The pattern of species abundance of rodents since 1979 in Punjab

Rodent s~ecies com~osition (M/m/s)*

Crops
Bb Ni Me Mb Mms Ti Mm Fern Gi
1979- Wheat, sugarcane, grass M m s m m m M m s
1983 land, waste land.
1984- Wheat, sugarcane, M m m m M m s
1988** groundnut, cotton, millet, .
sorghum, garden
nursery, guinea grass,
barren fields, forest area.
19&9- Paddy, sugarcane, M m m m m m s
1993 wheat, cotton, groundnut,
maize, millet, black gram,
Musk melon, waste land
1994- Paddy, wheat, M m m M s m s
1998 sugarcane, Bajra,
sorghum
1999- Paddy, wheat, M m m M s m s
2004 sugarcane, maize,
moong, millet, bajra, oat,
berseem, vegetables
- Not trapped. • Other species not found except Rr which is a commensal rat. ··Floods in 1988. M- Major;
m - minor; s - sporadic

105
Table 6 : Major pests and diseases of major and minor crops of Punjab

Crop Major rodent

Major insect pests Major diseases
Major crops species
Rice Plant hoppers, leaf folder, Bacterial leaf blight, bacterial Bi, Rm, Mus, Ti
grass hoppers, rice hispa, leaf streak, blast, brown leaf
rice root weevil, rice stem spot, sheath blight, sheath rot
borer, Gundhi bug, rice ear- stem rot, false smut, bunt.
cutting caterpillar.
Wheat Sucking insect pests like Wheat rust, loose smut, flag Bb, Ti, Mus
aphid, jassid and brown mite, smut or leaf smut, ear cockle
army worm, gram pod borer. and yellow ear rot, root rot,
leaf blight, kernel bunt,
powdery mildew.
Sugarcane Pyrilla, White fly, Black bug, Red rot. Smut, Ratoon Bb, Ti, Mm, Mms
Sugarcane mite, Sugarcane stunting disease, grassy
thrips, Termite, early shoot shoot disease, red stripe, top
borer, top borer, stalk borer, rot, stinking rot, leaf scald
Gurudaspur borer.
Minor crops
Maize Maize borer, jassid and Seed rot and seedling blight, Bb, Mm, Mus
thrips, pyrilla, grey weevil, Philippine downy mildew, (Birds)
leaf feeding insects, army brown stripe, downy mildew,
worm, silk cutter, hairy. bacterial stalk rot
caterpillar, mite.
Cotton Bollworms, sucking pests Leaf curl, root rot, bacterial Mm, Ti, Mus
blight, Anthracrose, leaf
blight, leaf spots, grey mildew
Moong And Mash Thrips, hairy caterpillar, semi Yellow mosaic virus,
looper, mite cercospora leaf spot, root rot,
NA'
Anthracnose, Bacterial leaf
spot.
Soybean Ha iry caterpillar, flea-beetle, Yellow mosaic
NA*
white fly
Groundnut Aphid, white grub, hairy Cotton rot and seed rot. Ti, Rm, Bb, Mms,
caterpillar cercospora leaf spot, root Mb
knot
Gram Gram caterpillar Blight, grey mould, wilt, stem
rot, foot rot
NA'
Field Pea Pea stem fly, pea thrips, pea Powdery mildew, wilt, rust
leaf minor, pea aphid, pea NA*
borer
Berseem Bihar hairy caterpillar, Stem rot Rats & mice
surface grass hopper, gram
caterpillar, cabbage semi
looper.
Bajra Root bug, grass hopper, grey Green ear or downy mildew, Bb, Ge
weevil, Q~rilla, fulgarid. grain smut, Ergot
NA*-Not available

106
CHANGES IN SPECIES COMPOSITION OVER THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS
(1979-2004) (Table 5)
B.benga/ensis remained the most predominant species during the past twenty
five years. During 1979-1988, M.me/tada was the other major species, but from
1994-2004 T.indica emerged as the second major species. Two species namely,
N.indica which was a minor species and M.platythrix which was a sporadic pest
during 1979-1983 have become rare in the following years. The two Mus species,
M.booduga and M.musculus and the squirrel, F.pennanti remained minor pests
throughout this period. M.me/tada surprisingly became a sporadic pest from its
status as a major pest in 1979. The status of G.e/lioti as a sporadic species
remained unchanged from 1979 to 2004. The cropping pattern has changed from
wheat based in 1979-1988 to paddy and wheat ba!:.1ed from 1989 onwards. This
change seems to have affected M. me/tada whose status as a major pest
disappeared.
PREDOMINANT RODENT PESTS OF MAJOR CROPS IN PUNJAB
The pest and disease profile of major crops of Punjab including rodents is
given in Table 6. The rodent pests complex comprises of four to five species
namely, B.benga/ensis, M.me/tada, T.indica and Mus species. This typical species
complex was seen infesting rice and groundnut. Wheat fields were colonized by
B.benga/ensis, T.indica and Mus species. B.benga/ensis, T.indica, M.me/tada and
M.muscu/us were present in sugarcane. Maize fields had B.bengalensis, M.me/tada
and Mus species while M.me/tada, T.indica and Mus species were seen in cotton.
CONCLUSIONS
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana has been the Centre of Rodent
Research since early seventies and was one of the first three centers of ~AII India
Co-ordinated Research Project on Rodent Control since its inception. The data on
species composition of rodents affecting the various crops of the state is
voluminous. The most predominant rodent species to affect agriculture in, Punjab
is B.benga/ensis. The two other pests of significance are T.indica and 1Vi. (he/tada.
Surprisingly two species of Mus, M.booduga and M.musculus are found in"several
crops consistently. The distribution of F.pennanti is restricted to fruit orchards
while N.indica and G.e/lioti are sporadic pests of insignificant value.

107
 X. RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan is situated in the northwestern part of the Indian union (23°30'
and 30°11' N latitude and 69°29' and 78 0 17'E longitude). The Aravalli hill ranges
running from northeast to southwest bisects the state approximately into the
western arid and eastern semi-arid or sub-humid regions. Arid zone occupies nearly
3, 17,090 sq. km area of which 2, 46,790 sq. km is hot arid and rest is classified as
cold arid region. About 62% of the hot arid area falls in Rajasthan state only. The
ecosystem is hyper-thermic and is characterized by low and erratic rainfall, poor
soil health and frequent droughts. Physiographically the state can be divided into
four regions: (1) The Western desert (Thar), (2) The Aravalli hill region, (3) The
Eastern plains and (4) The South Eastern plateau region.

Soils of Rajasthan belong to five major types viz. 1. Aridisols, Alfisols,

Entisols, Inceptisols and Vertisols. The arid region of the state is characterized by
aridsols and is distributed in Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Barmer,
SriGanganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Sirohi, Jodhpur, Pali and jalore districts.

CLIMATE
. The climate of western. desertic part is characterized by low and erratic
rainfall coupled with frequent spells of drought, extremes of diurnal and annual
temperatures, low humidity and high wind velocity. The annual rainfall in state
ranges from less than 100mm to 200-300 mm and varies significantly making this
part most arid. The south-west monsoon lasts from June till mid September.
Summer starts in March with temperature rising progressively through April, May
and June. In western part mainly at Bikaner, Phalodi, Jaisalmer and Barmer maximum
daily temperature varies between 40°C to 45°C, occasionally reaching 49° C during
summer months. In winter the minimum temperature may fall to 2°C. A sharp
decline in temperature during night is experienced throughout the western
Rajasthan.

CROPPING PATTERNS
Agriculture iri western Rajasthan is mainly dependent on rainfall thus mainly
rain fed cropping in praitised in the region. The major crops grown during kharif
are - pearl millet, green gram, moth bean, cluster bean, sesame, cucurbits etc. In
rabi season wheat, barley, cumin, chickpea etc. are cultivated in limited areas
depending upon the availability of irrigation facility. With the advent of canal
irri'gation through Gang canal, Indira Gandhi Canal, jawai Canal etc. and increased
exploration of ground water resources, the area under irrigated crops like groundnut,
pigeon pea, castor, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, chickpea, cumin, isabgol, mustard
etc. is on increase. In intensively irrigated regions of Sri Ganaganagar district,
even rice cultivation is practised. The most predominant cropping patterns of the

108
region are: (i) Pearl millet-green gram-moth bean-sesame-cluster bean (as rain fed)
and cotton & groundnut (irrigated) in kharif season and (ii) wheat-mustard-cumin-
chickpea, (irrigated) in rabi season. Among vegetable crops, solanacious vegetables
(tomato, brinjal and chillies) and cucurbits are: most commonly grown in the region.
Jujube is the most important fruit crop. However, in recent years under limited
irrigation farmers have started growing pomegranate, kinnow, amla, date palm
etc.

Agro-economy of the arid region is mainly livestock based farming system.

Thus a vast stretch of land, especially in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner
districts are under perennial forage grasses or gochar lands. Major grass species in
the region are Cenchrus ciliaris, C.setigerus and LasiurLis sindicus. Besides these
grasses, foliage of several native bushes and trees (Ziziphus nummalaria and
Prosopis cineraria) are also used as good source of animal feed.

AGRO CLIMATIC ZONES (Fig. 1; Table 1)

On the basis of rainfall pattern and crop features Rajasthan state has been
divided into nine agro climatic zones (Table 1; Fig. 1). Of these, arid region covers
four zones (lA, IB, IIA and liB). Details of the agro climatic zones are summarized as
under.

DISTRIBUTION OF RODENT PESTS IN

VARIOUS AGROCLINATlCZONES OF
ARID REGION OF RAJASTHAN

Fig .1 Distribution of rodent pests in various Agroclimatic zones of arid region of Rajasthan

109
Table 1 : Details of agroclimatic zones and crop conditions in Rajasthan

Rodent
Cropping
Zone Districts & tehsils Soil type Rainfall species
patterns
infestin
Zone i-A: Arid All the tehsils of Jaisalmer, Calcareous, 100- Bajra Moth Mh, Ti,
Western Plain Barmer and Bikaner Desert soils, 350mm. Bajra-Green Gg, Rm,
Zone. (36% Of districts. Sand dunes Jul-Sept gram Ge, Ni,
State's Area), Jodhpur, Phalodi, Shergarh Gaur-Sesame Mus spp.,
Rain Fed and asian tehsiis of
Jodhpur Dt.
Sujangarh, Ratangarh and
Sardarshahar tehsils of
Churu Dt.
ZONE i-B. Districts of SriGanganagar Alluvial, 253mm Bajra, moth, Rm, Mms,
IRRIGATED and Hanuman garh. Sarozem, guar, jowar, Mh, Ni, Ti,
NORTH- Asolian, moong, gram, Rr, Bb,
WESTERN Dunes, Food sesame, rape Gg
PLAIN (Canal plain, Desert & mustard,
Irrigated) plain, cumin.
Gravely and
Laterite.
ZONE II-A: Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu Sandy 374- Pearl millet, Mh, Ti.
TRANSITIONAL districts. loamy, Clay 560mm. pulses, gram, Rm, Gg,
PLAIN ZONE OF Taranagar, Churu & loamy mid sorghum, Ni
INLAND Rajgarh tehsils of Churu June to sesame,
DRAINAGE district. Sept. wheat, rape &
mustard, ber,
anar
ZONE II-B: Districts of Jalore, Pali & Red desert 330- Pearl millet, Ti, Mh,
TRANSITIONAL Bilara. soil, Saline 500mm sorghum, Rm, Re,
PLAIN OF LUNI Bhopalgarh tehsilof soli, maize, wheat, Ti, Bb,
BASIN (Rain Fed Jodhpur Dt. Lithosols. paddy, barley, Mus sp.,
and Irrigated) Reodha r, Sheoganj of pulses, chick Mb
Sirohi district. ·pea
ZONE III-A: Districts of Jaipur, Ajmer Alluvial, 450- Wheat, barley,
SEMIARID and Tonk Alfisols 612mm maize, moth
EASTERN PLAIN bean, pulses,
Ti, Rm,
ZONE. sorghum,
Mh, Bb,
(Rain Fed and groundnut,
Mussp.
Comparatively gram, mustard,
More Irrigated) cotton,
vegetables
ZONE 111-8: Districts of Alwar, Bharatpur AllUVial, Pearl millet,
FLOOD PRONE & Dholpur. Districts of Recent sorghum,
EASTERN PLAIN Sawai Madhopur exceptthe alluvium, groundnut,
n, Rm,
ZONE. tehsi/s of Khandar and calcareous rape &
(Rain Fed and
Bb, Mus
Sawa; Madhopur. mustard,
Comparatively
sp.
Wheat, gram,
More Irrigated) barley, pigeon
ea.

110
 Rodent
Cropping
Zone Districts & tehsils Soil type Rainfall species
patterns
infestinL_
ZONE IV·A: Aravalli hills Lithosols old 500- Pearl millet,
SUB-HUMID 35 tehsils of Udaipur, Alluvium 900mm sorghum,
SOUTHERN Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and maize, wheat,
PLAIN AND Sirrohi districts barley, rice,
ARAVALLI HILL pulses, NN
RANGE (Rain sesame, rape
Fed & 32% & mustard,
Irrigated) groundnut,
cotton.
ZONE IV-B: Districts of Dungarpur and Red, Mixed 700- Maize, paddy,
SOUTHERN Banswara, South-eastern Red, Black, 1180mm sorghum,
HUMID PLAIN parts of Udaipur Dt. & Medium wheat, black
ZONE (21.5% Southern part of Chittorgarh Black, gram, pigeon
Irrigated, Rest Dt. Medium pea, moong, NA*
Rainfed) textured gram,
Calcareous groundnut.
sesame,
linseed, cotton.
ZONE V: SOUTH Districts of Bundi, Kota & Black loamy 690- Sorghum,
EASTERN Jhalawar. 1000mm wheat, gram.
HUMID PLAIN Sawai Madhopur and Sesame,
ZONE Khandor tehsi/s of Sawai linseed, sugar NN
Madhopur Dt. cane, soybean,
vegetables,
fruits.
NA*-Not available

1. ARID WESTERN PLAINS (Zone 1 A) : This zone comprises of all the tehsils of
Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner districts; Jodhpur, Phalodi, Shergarh and Osian
tehsils of Jodhpur district and Sujangarh, Ratangarh and Sardar Sahar tehsils of
Churu district. Desert soils and sand dunes occupy the major area in the zone.
These are wind blown, Aeolian soils, loamy fine to coarse sandy in texture. These
may be calcareous at places. The mean daily temperatures at Jodhpur range from
maximum of 40°C in June to a minimum of 8°C in January. Rainfall ranges from
100mm in the west to about 350mm in the east. Cultivation is mainly practiced in
rainy season on the slopes of low to medium sand dunes and sandy plains. The
common crops grown are pearl millet, green gram, moth bean and cluster bean.
Wherever ground water is available, rabi crops like wheat, barley mustard and
cumin are also grown.
2. IRRIGATED NORTH-WESTERN PLAIN (Zone IB): This zone covers the districts
of SriGanganagar and Hanumangarh. Extreme aridity marked with high summer
'and low winter temperature is the usual characteristic of this zone. The soils here
are alluvial deposits of river Ghaggar, loam to silty clay loam in texture and are
calcareous in nature. At many places they are intermixed with sandy material. The
rainfall ranges from about 100mm in the south west to about 350mm in the east.
The mean daily temperature range at SriGanaganagar ranges from 4.7"C to 20,5°C
in January 28°C to 42.1 °C in June. The region is rich in agriculture production due
to a well developed irrigation network through canals like, Ganga and Indira Gandhi

111
Table 2: Rodent species composition of Arid Agro-climatic zones of Rajasthan
Zone -18 Zone-II A Zone-II B
Zone -IA
ARID WESTERN PLAIN IRRIGATED N WESTERN TRANSITIONAL PLAINS TRANSITIONAL PLAIN OF LUNI
Year Major OF INLAND DRAINAGE BASIN
crops PLAIN
(Period)
Species Crags Species Cro[15 SpeCIes
Cro~5 Seecios Cro~s
MaIze, R.me/tada, Pearl M.hurrlanae Pearl T.lndlca,
1979- Khan! Pearl mIllet, M.hurrianae,
M.musculus, mltlet, T.lndica mIllet, M.hurr/anae,
1983 moong, T.lndica, sorghum,
G_gleadow/i, nce. moong, M.tr.urrianae, moong, R.me/tada sorghum, M.me/tada,
moth, guar,
R_me/tada, groundnut, N.ind/ca molh, G g/eadowii moong. R.cutch/cus
sesame,
G.nanus cotton, guar moth,
colton
sugarcane sesame,
guar
M. hurrianae, Wheat, R.me/lada, Wheat, M.hurrianae, Wheat. T.lnd/ca,
Rabi Wheat,
T.indica, T./nd/ca, gram, T.ind/ca, gram. M.hurrianae,
mustard, barley.
R_mellada gram, chIck R.rattus, mustard, R.meltada mustard, R.meltaaa
b'uley,
paa, B.bengalensl. barley, barley
gram,
cumIn mustard, pIgeon
pigeon pea pea
M,hurr/anae, MaIze. pearl R.meltads, Pearl T,/ndlciI, Pearl T,/ndlca,
1984-8B Kharif Pearlmillel,
M,musculus, millet, M.hurrlanao, mIllet, M.hurrlanae,
moong. T.indlc,., millet,
moth. guar, G.g/eadow/J, sorghum, G.g/eadowil moong, R.meltada, sorghum. R.me/taaa
moth, G.g/eadowl/ moong,
sesame, R.msltsda, groundnul,
cotton T.lndlca sugarcane, guar guar,
cotton sesame
Rebl Wheat, M.hurrianae, Wheat, T.lndlca, Wheal, M.hurrianae, Wheat, T.lnd/ca,
muslard, T,/nd/ca, gram. R.meltads, gram, T.indica, gram, M. hurr/anae,
ba~ey. R_me/tada mustard, B.banga/ensis, mustard, R.mellada mustard, R.me/tada
gram, barley, M.musculus barley, barley,
isabgol pigeon pea, pigeon caster
gram pea
1989- Khanf Pearlmlllet, M.hurr/anae, MaIze, pearl M.hurrianae, Pearl T.lnd/ca, Pearl T.lndlcs,
moong, T.indlca, millet, nee, R.melmaa, millet, M_hurrlanae, millel, R.meltada,
1993
molh, guar, G.gleadowll, groundnul, M.musculus, moong, R.meftada, sorghum, S.bengs/ensis
sugarcane R.meilada cotton T.indica, guar G.gleadow/l, moong,
sugarcane G.gleadowll N_fnd/ca guar,
sesame
Rabl Wheat, M.hurrlanae, Wheat, R.me/tada, Wheat, M.hurr/anae, Wheat. T.lnd/ca.
mustard. T./nd/ca, gram, T.lnd/ca, gram, R.meltada, gram, R,me/tads,
cumin. R.me/tada muslard M.muscOlus, muslard, G.g/eadowll, mustard, B. benga/ens/s,
Isabgal S,bonga/ens/s, baney, NJndlca bartey Musspp_
M,hurr/anaa pigeon
pea
1994-98 Khanl Pearlmlllel, M_hu"lanae, Maize, R.mellada, Pearl T_/nd/ca, Pearl T./ndlca,
moong, G.g/eadowl/, 'sorghum, T.ind/cB, Mus millet, M.hurrlanae, millet, R.meltads,
moth, guar, G.nanus, nee, spp, moong, R_me/tada, sorghum. B,bengo/ens/s,
chillies T,/ndica, ground nut, B.benga/ens/s moth, G.g/eadow/i, moong, MUsspp.
R.me/tada cottao, guar N.lnd/ca guar,
sugarcane sesame
Rabi Wheat, M_hurr/anae, Wheat. R.me/lada, Mus Wheat, M.hurrianae, Wheat, T,ind/ca,
mustard T_lndlca, gram, spp., T,/nd/ea gram, T_ind/ca, gram, M.hurr/anee,
R_me/tada mustard mustard, R_me/tada, mustard, R.meltada,
barley, N./nd/ca baMey B.benga/ens/s
pigeon
pea
1999- Kharif Pearl mIllet, M.hurriansB, Pearl T./nd/ca, Pearl R.me/tada,
2003 maong. G.nanu5, millet, M.hurrianae, millet, T.lndlca,
math, guar, T,lndlca, moong, R.me/tada, sorghum, B_benga/ens/s,
chillies R.me/tada, mOlh. G.gleadowll, moong, Musspp,
G.gleadowl/, guar N.lnd/ca guar,
N.lndlca sa same

Rabi Wheat, M.hurrianae, Wheat, M.hurr/anae, Wheat, T,/ndfca,

mustard, T,/ndlca, gram, T.lnd/ca, gram, R.me/tada,
cumin, R,me/tads, mUstard, R.meltada, mustard, M.booduga,
Isabgol N.indfca, Mus barley N./nd/ca barley B.benga/ens/s
$

• Mostly rainfed crops

N.indica:Irrigated croplands in Bikaner and afforestation area in Chiru and Nagaur
Mild drought years: 1978. 1980, 1981; Moderate drought years: 1984, 1985; Severe drought years: 1986,
1987, 1991. 2002

112
canals. A variety of field crops viz., rice, cotton, ground nut and sugarcane (in
kharif) and wheat, gram, mustard, vegetables etc. (rabi) are now grown in this
zone.
3 TRANSITIONAL PLAIN OF INLAND DRAINAGE (Zone II AI: This zone is spread
over Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu districts and Taranagar, Churu and Rajgarh tehsils
of Churu district. It is situated in the west of Aravallis, characterized by low and
erratic precipitation, moving sand dunes, poor and impeded drainage and salinity
and/or sodiciy in soils. The soils are sandy loams to clay loams and cultivation is
restricted due to shallow depth and stony surface. Red desert soils, saline and
lithosols are found in depressions. The rainfall ranges from 300 mm in the west to
about 500 mm in the east. The mean daily maximum temperature ranges from
22.0°C to 39.7°e and the mean daily minimum temperature ranges from 5.3°C to
27.5°C. Due to 'conditions of erratic precipitation, a large area is put under pearl
millet and legumes like green gram, moth bean and cluster bean etc. in kharif. In
addition, groundnut also occupies a sizeable area. In rabi irrigated wheat, gram
and barley are important crops.
4. TRANSITIONAL PLAIN OF LUNI BASIN (Zone II B): This zone covers districts of
Jalore, Pali and Bilara and Bhopalgarh tehsils of Jodhpur district. In jodhpur,
Jalore, Pali and Barmer districts red desert soils are found. Saline soils are found
in Ranns of Barmer district. About 27 percent of the cropped area is under irrigation
mainly from canals and wells. The rainfall ranges from 300mm in the west to
500mm in the east. The principal crops of the zone are pearl millet, kharif pulses,
sesame, maize, wheat, barley, mustard and gram. The area is prone to floods by
the river Luni with a 16 years flood cycle. The area under cotton is being expanded
in the region with the increasing irrigation facilities.
THE RODENT FAUNA OF RAJASTHAN
The State is highly diverse and rich is rodent fauna and consis'i.s of Hystrix
indica, Funambulus pennanti, Tatera indica, Meriones hurrianae, Gerbil/us nanus
indus, Gerbil/us gleadowi, Vandeleuria oleracea, Rattus rattus, R. cutchicus, R.
me/tada pal/idior, R.g/eado wi, Mus musculus, M. cervicolor, M.platythrix,
M.booduga, Golunda ellioti,. Nesokia indica and Bandicota bengalensis (Tripathi et
al., 1992). Amongst these M.hurrianae and T)ndica are the most abundant species
followed by R.m.palliodor, R.c.cutchicus and G.g/eadowi. Others occur in low
numbers. In general following is the distribution of rodents habitatwise (Rana et
a/., 1994):
Sandy habitat : M.hurrianae> T.indica > G.g/eadowi> R.m.pal/idior
Gravel habitat: M.hurrianae > T.indica>M.p.sadhu
Rocky habitat: R. c. cutchicus > M,p.sadhu > M. C.phillipsi> F.pennanti
Ruderal habitat: T.indica> R.m.paJliodor > M.hurrianae> G.g/eadowi

'13
.1
PEST STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RODENTS (Table 3; Plate 8)
By virtue of their species diversity, high numbers and successful adaptation
to arid ecosystems, rodents constitute one of the largest mammalian groups in
the Rajasthan desert. By their burrowing activity and depredation on sparse
vegetation rodents pave way for increased desertification and deterioration of
vegetation. To exploit the limited resources they indulge in gnawing, debarking,
cutting and feeding on anything that is edible from the sown/germinating seeds
to ripe grains and fruits in cultivated crop fields, grassland, orchards, forest
nurseries, forests and plantations (Table 4).
(a) Field crops: Sown, germinating seeds are damaged by F.pennanti, T.indica,
M.hurrianae and G.g/eadowi. Bajra is damaged at milky stage, pre harvest and
harvest stages, and the damage is upto 38 %. The species inflicting damage were
T.indica, M.hurrianae and G.ellioti (Rana et al., 1994). M.hurrianae, T.indica and
G.gleadowi caused 57-61 % damage to moth (Rana and Tripathi, 1999). Mustard
crop at seedling stage and the grown plant suffered 22.9 to 30% reduction in
plant stand due to T.indica> M.hurrianae>R.m.pallidior and G.gleadowi (Rana et
al., 1994; Rana & Tripathi, 1999). Damage to vegetables in general ranged 4.1 to
19.9% and damage was 40% fruits/plant for chillies. Damage inflicting species
were T.indica, M.hurrianae and R.m.pallidior (Rana et al., 1994).

Table 3 : Rodent species infesting and rodent damage to crops of Rajasthan

Field crops Horticulture Forest plantations Grassland & Fodder
1. Sown, germinating seeds -) 1, (a) Pomogranate-29% 1. Debarking-7 Mh, Ti, Rm. 1, Consumption of grass
1
Fp, Ti, Mh, Gg • loss ~ F,/. NI,,3,5 seeds ..... Mh1
2. Bajra at milky stage ~ (b) Pomegranate - 6.1 2. Slicing - NP 2. Feeding on grasses'
Ti. Mh, Ge'. to 11,3% dam-.. TI, Fp2 3. (a) 3-30% damage to 3,77.3 to 97.3 rodentslha .....
Harvested Bajra. 2. (a) Ber -) Mh, Tit germinating seeds in forest Ti & Mh2
3, Chillies - 40% fruits/plant ~ (b) Bar nursery - 8- nurseries-7 Fp4
Ti, Mh, Rmp', 80% damage ~ Ti, Fp2 (b) Damage to sprouting
4. Mustard-22.9 to 43.5 plant 3. Date palm ..... Ti 2 seeds -) Fp
stand/eduction ~ Ii, Mh. 4, Guava ~ FpB 4. Bamboo rool damaged -7
Rmp. TiS
5. Vegetable crops - 4.1 to 5. Teak forests ..... pp6
1
19.9% damage -)TI, Mh,
Rmp.
6. Mustard seedling 22,9 to
30% in pla~t stand -f Mh,
Ti, Gg, Rm.
7. Gram - 19.6 L reduction in
Pea -18.75%0 plant stand
..... Mh, Ti, Gg~ .
8. Moth - 57 to 61 % -> Mh,
Gg, T/
9. Bajra - 38% ~ Mh, Ga, Til

(1) Rana et al., 1994. 12) Rana & Tripathi. 1999.13) Tripathi & Jain, 1990. (4) Paunicker & Ahmad, 2002.
2004. (6) Prakash & Singh 1998
(5) Idris
Fp-Funambulus palmarum; Ti- Tatera indica; Mh-Meriones hurrianae; Gg-Gerbiflus gleadowi; Rm-Rattus
me/fada; Ge-Gollunda ellioti: Rmp-RBftus me/fade pal/idior: Ni·Nesokie mdica; Pp - Petacerista philippensis
(flying squirrel)

114
Horticulture crops: Pomogranate is damaged by F.pennanti which causing 29%
loss (Rana et al., 1994). In a later study the damage was estimated as 6.1 to
11.3% inflicted by T.indica and F.pennanti (Rana and Tripathi, 1999). Damage to
ber nursery ranged 8-80% and was inflicted by T.indica and F.pennanti (Rana and
Tripathi, 1999). Date palm and guava were damaged by T.indica (Rana and Tripathi,
'1999) and F.pennanti respectively (Prakash and Singh, 1998; Paunicker and Ahmed,
2002).
(b) Forest plantations: Young seedlings are damaged by the debarking and slicing
activities of rodents. Albizzia lebbek, A. torti/is, Prosoppis cineraria and Parkinsonia
aculeata are the tree species debarked. The species causing this type of damage
are M.hurrianae, T.indica and R.me/tada. Slicing activity is mostly limited to
underground roots by the burrowing activity of Nesokia indica resulting in the
death of trees. Roots of bamboo were reported to be damaged by Tindica (Prakash
& Singh, 1998). Of late damage to sown and germinating seeds of forestry trees
by F.pennanti has been observed (Paunicker and Ahmed, 2002; Idris, 2004). The
flying squirrel, Petaurista phi/ippensis was found in well protected, dense teak
forests around Udaipur (Prakash and Singh, 1998).

(el Grassfand and Fodder: The seeds of grasses sown to improve the fodder
quality are dug up and eaten up by M.hurrianae. The high density of rodents at
77.3 to 97.3/ha. mainly composed of T.indica and M.hurrianae results in heavy
depredation of nutritive, highly palatable grasses and other edible plants. This
foraging pressure by rodents has changed the structure of plant community in
Rajasthan desert resulting in non-productive and degeneration type of vegetation
(Rana et al., 1994; Rana and Tripathi, 1999).

Species invasion occurred consequent to changed land use pattern in northern,

north-wastern parts of Rajasthan which were the beneficiaries of canal irrigation
and subsequent increased crop cultivation (Fig. 2). Prior to irrigation, the land was
dry deciduous, scrub jungle with undulating sand dunes. The climate, soil and
vegetation were similar to arid region of western Rajasthan as seen today. The
hitherto xeric rodent fauna was predominantly composed of M. hurrianae, T.
indica and R. meltada and to a small extent by Gerbil/us nanus. Earlier M. musculus
and F. pennant; were completely absent in open fields. The change of landscape
from desert ecosystem to one of irrigated crop fields in SriGanganagar district in
northern Rajasthan with the introduction of Ganga canal (1927-28), Bhakra canal
(1951-52) and Indira Gandhi Canal (1956-57) changed the scenario of rodent
species infesting this area. The major changes were the disappearance of xeric
species, Gerbil/us and M. hurrianae rather their migration to drier and sandy lan.ds
and their replacement by mesic forms, namely M. musculus in sugarcane and
cotton fields, N. indica, R. me/tada and B. bengaJensis in irrigated crop fields and

115
 Fig. 2. Indira Gandhi Canal in Western Rajasthan

F .pennanti in fruit orchards. Only T. indica was successful in adapting to the

changed cropping pattern. This invasion of changed landscape by more adaptable,
successful, mesic species is likely to continue as more and more land comes
under irrigation in Rajasthan resulting in decreased faunal diversity of rodents.

To sum up, in rain fed crops (pearl millet, green gram, moth, bean etc.) the
gerbils, M.hurrianae and T.indica are the two most common rodent pest species.
In addition to these gerbils, the crop fields located in inter dunal plains or near
sand dunes ,also suffer due to infestation of another gerbil species, Gerbil/us
gleadowi. These field rodents start damaging the rain fed crops right from sowing
and continue their destructive activities all through the cropping season and later
in the threshing yards too. In the irrigated cropping systems (groundnut' and
cotton in kharif and wheat, mustard, cumin in rabi), T.indica, Rattus (Mil/ardia)
me/tada and M.hurrianae are the major pests. Among Mus spp., M.musculus and
M.booduga have been reported from irrigated fields. Five stripped squirrel,
Funambulus pennant; may also be considered a minor rodent pest in crops where
the fields have trees like, Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata. However the
squirrels are a major problem in arid horticulture. In Indira Gandhi Canal command

116
 Damage in moong Damage in bajra

Damage in wheat Damage in mustard

Damage in pomegranate Damage in forestry plantation

areas of SriGanganagar and Bikaner Districts, the crop fields are mainly infested
with T.indica, R.meltada, M.booduga, B.bengalensis and N.indica. Since rodents
are omnivorous they may not show specific preference for any crop; however a
complex of 3-4 rodent species are reported to have some association with cropping
systems in arid ecosystem (Table 2).

CONCLUSIONS
The Rajasthan desert had the privilege of being extensively studied regarding
its rodent fauna their eco-biology and impact on agriculture even before the
establishment of co-ordinating cell of All India co-ordinated Research Project on
Rodent Control. Since then enormous data has been generated on species infesting,
extent of damage inflicted and technology to prevent such damages. Out of the
nine Agroclimatic zones of the state, four covering the arid areas namely Arid
Western Plains (lone I A), Irrigated north-western plain (Zone I B), Transitional
plain of Inland Drainage (Zone II A) and Transitional plain of Luni Basin (Zone II B)
have been thoroughly investigated for species compqsition of rodents and damage
inflicted.

117
 OVERVIEW OF RODENT SPECIES DISTRlBUfION .AIID
DAMAGE IN molA
The data generated on rodent damage to Indian agriculture and species
involved are summarized in tables 1 to 3 and figures 1 and 2. Available data for
states where AICRP on rodent control is not operating has also been included
based on published work. The details of species composition of rodents and
estimates of damage to major crops for different states is presented in three
tables: information on species infesting major crops in Table 1, infestation on
food crops in Table 2 and Figure 1, data on commercial, vegetable, fruit and
plantation crops in Table 3 and Figure 2.

Summarily the rodent species distribution in major crops across the country
is as follows:
Andhra Pradesh: Rice was infested by two species namely B.bengalensis and
M.booduga while pu.lses were damaged only by B.bengalensis. 8. benga/ensis,
M.meltada and M.booduga infested groundnut. R.rattus was the major pest of
coconut.

Assam and Manipur: Data is available only for rice, B.bengalensis, B.indica,
M.booduga Cltld R. sikkimensis damaged the crop. Other species found in the
state are R.rattus, R.nitidus and D.lokriah.

Bihar (Non AfCRP reports): Rice was damaged by B.bengalensis.

Gujarat: B.bengalensis, T.indica and M.meltada were the three major rodent pests
of Gujarat, infesting and damaging the major crops viz., wheat, rice, millets,
maize, pulses and ground nut but their distribution pattern rather order of
predominance varied from crop to crop. R.rattus was a pest of coconut. M .hurrianae
was limited to western arid areas.

Haryana (Non AICRP reports): The major species reported are B.bengalensis,
M.meltada, TJndica and N,indica.

Himachal Pradesh: The major rodent species damaging wheat, rice, maize and
jowar were B.bengalensis, M.muscu/us, M.booduga, R.meltada and R.rattus. Fruits
and vegetables were damaged by B.bengalensis, M.muscu/us, R.rattus, M.booduga,
G.ellioti, R.me/atda and F.pennanti.

Jammu & Kashmir (Non AICRP reports}: No information is available on cropwise

distribution of rodents. But species reported were H.indica, Rattus sp. M.meltada,
T,indica, B.bengalensis, marmots, hamsters, voles etc. (Table 4).

118
Table 1 : Rodent species distribution in major crops of various states of India
STATE WHEAT RICE MILLETS MAIZE & PULSES GROUNDNUT
JOWAR
Andhra NA* Bb, Mb NA NA Bb,Mb Bb, Mm, Mb
Pradesh
Assam & NA Bb, ai, Mb,
Other species are Rr, Rn, Dremomys lokriah (Squirrels)
Manipur Rs
Bihar NA Bb NA NA NA NA
Gujarat Bb, Ti, Mm Bb, Ti, Mm Bb, Ti, Mm Bb, Ti, Mm Bb, Ti, Mm Bb. Ti. Mm
Haryana Major species reported are Bb, Mm, Ni, Ti
Himachal Bb, Mms, Bb, Mms, NA Bb, Mms, NA NA
1
Pradesh Mb, Rm, Rr Mb, Rm, Mb, Rm, Rr
Rr
Jammu & Cropwise not available. Species are Hi, Rattus sp. Mm, Ti, Bb. Marmots, hamsters, voles
Kashmir etc.
2
Karnataka Bb, Mm Bb, Rr. Bb, Ti, Mm Ti, Mm, Bb Bb, Mm, Ti, Bb, Ti. Mm,
Mm, Mb, Mp Mb
3
Kerala NA: Rrw, Ft, Fp, Bi, Bb. Ti, Mb, Hi, Vo are pests on plantation crops.
Madhya Bb, Mm, Rr Ti, Bb, NA Bb, Ti. Mm, Mm, Bb, Rr Fp,Mm
4
Pradesh Mm,Mb Mb
MaharaslJtra Crop wise unavailable. Rr, Bb, Mb, Mp, n, Ge, Hi & F.palmarum, Ft reported
NEH region NA Bb, Rn, NA Bb, Rr, Mb NA Bb, Rn
Mms, Rm
Orissa
Punjab Bb, Ti, Rm, Bb, Rm, Ti, Bb, Ti, Mus Bb, Mm, Bb, Mus, Ti, Rm, Bb,
Ge, Mus Ge, Mus Mus Mm Mms, Mb
Rajasthan Mh, Ti, Rm NA Ti, Mh, Ge NA Mh, Ti, Gg Ti, Mm, Mh
Sikkim Crop wise distribution not available. Bb and Rattus rataides, voles reported
Tamil Nadu Bb, Mb, Bb, Mm, NA NA Bb, Mm, ab, Mm, Mb
Mm, Ti Mb, Ti Mb
Tr/pura Crop wise distribution not available. £3b and Rattus sp. reported
Uttar Pradesh Bb, Ti, Mm, Bb, Mp, Mp
Mb, Ni, Mp Rr, Ni, Mb,
Me, Mm
West Bengal Bb
Ot/Jer species are Ti, Bi, Ni, Mm, Mb, Mp reported

1. APPLE, PEACH, PLUM, PECAN-Bb, Rr, Mms, Mb, Ga.

2. CARDAMOM - Fpm, Bb; Coconut-Rrr, Rr; Cocoa - Ft, Rr.
3. COCONUT-Rrw, Ft, Fpm, 8i, Bb, Ti, Mb, Hi; Cocoa - Rr, Ft, Fpm, Mb
4. SOYBEAN - Rr, Bb, Mm
Bb-8andicota benga/ensis; Bi - Bandicota indica; Fp - Funambu/us palmarum; Fpn -FUn8mbu/us penn8nti; Ft -
Fun8mbulus tristriatus; Ge - Gol/unda elliof,;· Gg - Gerbil/US g/eadowii; Hi - Hvstrix indica Mb-Mus booduga,-
Mc - Mus cervicolor: Mh -Mus hurrianae; Mm- Mi/lardia me/tada; Mms-Mus musculus; Mp - Mus pfatvthrix;
Ni - Nesokia indica; Rm - Rattus meltadi!J; Rn - Rattus nitidus; Rr - RattLIs rattus; Rrw - Rattus remus
wroughtonii; Rs - Rattus sikkimensis; Ti - Tatera indica; NA-Not available

119
 105 K* K*
100 .' ...
95 " .'I;
90 ... G*"
85 ...'' K'
80
75
70
65
60 I
55 _.'
50 .......
45
40
35
30
25
20
R

~i ~ ,~_~ _JIL_,
G __
HP
K Gj K .,'
_~i.B_~ _JflL.J;11_.LK~.
G, ~

c:
,~a
~ ~
Q)
,f:> E E ctJ
Q) E ctJ '5
~ e! 0. e! ()) c:
'E E
._ '"
~ OJ OJ
3: Cl .0
>- 0
c:Q)
'"1:
ro
Q)
c
Q)
Cl ~
c ~
8 "~ b3
(L
u:: CIl
ro C!l

II!IMlnimUm J:!Maxlmum ElRoden! outbreak I

G· GUJARAT; R - RAJASTHAN; P, PUNJAB, HP . HIMACHAL PRADESH; K - KARNATAKA; NEH- NEH REGION;

MP _ MADHYA PRADESH; • Sown seeds; H Rodent outbreak

Fig. 1. Rodent damage (%) to food crops in India

Rodent damage (%) to commercial, vegetable fruit and plantation crops in India

85
80
75
70
65
60
S5
~ 50
,.
Ii 45
." 40
~ 35
30
25
20
15
10
5

I::
.s 11 '0... I:l 0: ...
"0 .2:! 11 .
<:: 13 ..!! .2:l Ol c:: 6 ...
'S
(.)
0 "~
.,; ,§ s"0: l3 § ~
0
"
g, a 0:
0
"§
...ill
1g- ~
c.
c. ill
p.,
...
c.> 0
!f
O')
c.
co.
~
'"
t
:0
8....
0
0

8
0

~... '0" c. "

~...
g"
f-;
(3" a
~
U
1 ill ~
t;
e
s
0
§
p..
0(

"
0')

Crops
IIIIMlnlmum aMa~lmum I
Fig.2.Rodent damage (%1 to commercial, vegetable fruit and plantation crops in India

120
Table 2 : Rodent damage and species infesting food crops in India
Crop Stage Damage (%) Species State
YL (~ield loss}
WHEAT Seedling to Maturity 5.9 Rajasthan
2
(Triticum Preharvest 18.7-21.3 Mh, Ti, Rm Rajasthan
3
aestivum) -do- 6.3-8.2 Bb, Rm H.Pradesh
4
-do- 3.9-5.2 Bb, Ti Punjab
105-2161<g/ha
5
Pre harvest 3.9-12.0 Bb,Rm Punjab
6
-do- 100-200kg/ha Rm M.Pradesh
6
-do- 8.0-10.0 Bb U.Pradesh
6
-do- 2,7-20,9 Bb, Ti Gujarat
7
-do- 5,0-10.0 Bb,Mm Karnataka
24
3.0-21.0 Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat
4.4-14.9 Bb, Mms, Mb, Rm,
25
Rr H.Pradesh
B
RICE Pre harvest 1.1-17.5 Bb, Rm Punjab
(Oryza saliva) 46-528kgfha
6
-do- 98-213kgfha Bb U.pradesh
9
-do- 1.3-6.7 Bb, Rr M.Pradesh
Meghala~a
1
-do- 10-12.5 Rn,Bb 0
-do- 4.3 Rn, Bb Mizoram 0
7
Grain formation 9-10 Bb, Mm, Mb Karnataka
Milky stage 12-45kgfha }
7
Pre-harvest 45-90kg/ha Bb, Mb, Mm Karnataka
Post-harvest 15-50kg/ha
Hill regions 1-44.5 Bb, Mb Karnataka 11
Hill region 62-79.7 Bb Karnataka 12
72kg Bb,Mm, Mb, Rr Karnataka 13
Seedling
Harvest stage
8.22.
17.56
J- Bb, Mb, Mp
A.Pradesh 14
23
Milky to maturity 4.6-16.8 Bb, Rn, Mm NEH region
5.0-8.2 Bb, Mm, Mb, Rm,
25
Rr H.Pradesh
26
3.17% YL Bb, JI, Mb, Rs** Assam

PEARL MILLET Seedling Almost 100% Gg Rajasthan 15

(Resown)
15
Milky, Grain Considerable Ti, Mh Rajasthan
3.0-12.0 Bb, Ti, Mm G' e 4

K~~~~~aka7
FINGER MILLET, Milky, Grain 6.0·12.0 Bb, Mm, Ti
(Eleusine
corac?na)
MAIZE Cobs 9.8 H.Pradesh 16
10
(Zea mays) Cobs 9.1 Rn, Bb Meghalaya
Seedling 10.7 Punjab 17
Seedling
Cob formation
50·80
7.0
Bb, Ti, Mm
Bb, Ti ~:~~:~:~:; 7
Harvest 12.5 Ti, Bb. Rr, Mb Karnataka 23
Cobs 3.5-24.0 Sb NEH re~Jons
5.0 Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat
25
1.9-5.0 Sb, Mm, Mb, Rm, H.Pradesh
Rr

JOWAR Seedling 4.0-7.0 Bb, Mm Karnat~ka7

(Sorghum vulgare) 4.0-10.0 Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat 4

121
 Crop Stage Species State

2.5 Mm M.Pradesh lU
BENGAL GRAM Pods 6
(Cicer arietinm) Plants & pods 11.0 Bb A.Pradesh
4
3.0-25.0 Bb, n, Mm Gujarae
24
PIGEON PEA 3.0-7.0 ab, n, Mm uJara t
G'
7
GREEN GRAM Vegetative growth 10.0 Bb, Mm, Ti Karnataka
(Phaseolus 5.0-6.0 ab, Ti, Mm G'uJara e4

aureus) 24
COW PEA (Vigna 4.0-18.0 ab, Ti, Mm GUjarat
caliang)
RED GRAM Seedling 50-100% Bb, Mm, Mp Karnataka~
(Cajanus cajan) Pod formation 2.0 Bb, Mm, TI Karnataka
SOYBEAN Green pods 27.27 ab, Mm, Rr M. Pradesh 19
2O
(Glycine max) 44.76 -do- M.Pradesh
7
Pod formation 0.6-3.0 Mm, Ti Karnataka
21
GROUNDNUT Plants & Pods 3.9-19.0 Ti, Rm, Punjab
22
(Arachis hypogea) Pod setting 4.5 ab, Mb, Mm GUjarat
Pod maturity 6.9 Bb, Ti -do-
Harvesting 7.3 Mm -do-
During rodent outbreak -do-
Seedling 2.9-85.4 -do-
7
Peg formation 30-40 ab, n Karnataka
Mature pods 2% ab, Mb -do-
Hoarding 4.0-9.0 ab,Mm -do-
Pods 3% ab,Mb -do-
23
0.26-10.1 ab, Rm NEH region
25
2.0-7.0 H.Pradesh
26
SUNFLOWER Sown seeds 70 ab, Mm, Ti Karnataka
(Helianthus anusl

• Mus mus musculus; .. * Rattus sikkimensis

{11 Singh & Saxena, '89 (21 Jain et aL, 93a (31 Sheikher & Jain, 91a (4) Malhi & Parshad, '89 (5) Parshad, '91
(6) Rana et ai., '94 (7) Sridhara, '99 (8) Anon, '91 (9) Patel et al" '92 (10) Singh et al., '94 111) Chakravarthy
et al., '92 (12) Prakash et ai., '86 (13) Sridhara & Krishnamurthy, '79 (14) Rao & Singh, '83 (15) Tripathi et aI.,
'92 (16) Kumar & Misra, '93 (17) Anon, '95 11S) Dubey et ai., '92 (191 Khatri et al., '87 (20) Awasti &
Agarwaf, '91 (21) Parshad et al., '87 (22) Mittal et aI., '91 (23) Pathak & Kumar, '01 (24) Butani & Vyas, '05
(25) Sharma '05 (26) Anon '04.

Karnataka: B.bengalensis, M.meltada were pests of wheat, B.benga/ensis, T.indica

and M.mettada infested millets, maize and jowar. B.benga/ensis, R.rattlls, M_meltada
and M.booduga were pests of rice, B.bengalensis, M.meltada, T.indica and Mus
platythrix damaged pulses and groundnut was infested by B.bengalensis, T.indica
M.meftada, and Mus booduga. The plantation crops viz., cardamom, cocoa, rubber,
coconut were damaged by F.palmarum, F. tris tria tus, R. rattus, R. r. wroughtonii
and H.indica (debarking).

1·22·
Table 3 : Rodent damage and species infesting commercial, horticultural and plantation crops in
India

Crops Stage Damage (%)/ Species State

YL (yield loss; kg/he.)

I. COMMERCIAL
1
COnON Bolls 3.2·23.2 Ti, Rm Gujarat
2
(Gossypium sp.) Damaged bolls 55-0 Bb TamiiNadu
40
4.0-6.0 Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat

SUGARCANE Partial damage

3
(Saccharum to canes 2.1-21.6 Bb, Ti, Rm, Punjab
officinarum) Mm
4
Dried canes 3.2 Punjab 5
Ratoon cane 15.0-30.0 U.Pradesh
G
Without lodging 6.8 Ti,Bb U.Pradesh
With lodging 18.9 Ti,Bb -do·
7
Lodging of canes YL: 520/1300 Karnataka
40
5.0-B.O Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat
MARIGOLD Harvesting 4.0-5.0 Bb Karnataka 42
(Tegetes erecta)
II.HORTICUL TURAL CROPS
(i) VEGETABLES
B
TOMATO Rind of fruits 11.1-37.3 Bb Punjab
(Lycopersicum Rind of fruits 19.0 Ti, Mh, Rm Rajasthan 11
9
esculentum) Mature fruits 13.5-16.5 Bb, Ti Haryana
10
Mature fruits 2.6-35.6 Bb,Rm Gujarat
Mature fruits 5,0 Bb Karnataka 12
40
5.0 Ti Gujarat

Flowering
upto 10.0
4.0
Bb
Bb ~:~~:!:~::~
Fruiting (summer) 6.0 Bb, Mp. Ti Karnataka 42
42
Harvest 5.0 Bb Karnataka
KNOL-KHOL Bulb formation & 5.0-6.0 Bb Karnataka42
(Brassica o/eracea harvest stage (summer)
var gongylodes) 2.0 kharif Bb, Ti Karnataka 42
20
POTATO Seedlings 5.0 Bb, Mm, Ti Karnataka
(Solanum tuberosum) Flowering 4.0 Bb -do-
Fruiting 6.0 Bb, Mp, Ti -do-
Harvest 5.0 Bb -do-
46
3.5-9.0 Bb Haryana
13
PEA (Pisum salivum} Seedling 1.1 Bb, Rm Punjab
13
Pods 5.9 Bb, Rm Punjab
1
Pods 1.8-5.6 Bb, Rm H.Pradesh
1
Plant stand 1B.7 Mh, Ti Rajasthan
2.3-B.O Mm, Bb, Mb,
44
Rm, Rr, Ge H.Pradesh
44
CABBAGE (Srassica 2.5-9.0 Mm, Mb, Rr, H.Pradesh
o/eracea var capitata) Rm, Ge
Head formation 5.5 8b Karnataka 42

123
 Crops Stage Damage (%)/ Species State
YL (yield loss; kg/ha.)

BRINJAL (Solanum Harvesting 2.0-6.0 Bb Karnataka

melongena) 25
CAULIFLOWER 2.3-12.7 Mb, Bb, Mb, H .Pradesh
(Brassica o/eracia) Rm, Rr
4.44-13.9 Bb, Mm, Rm,
45
Mb H.Pradesh
0-6 Bb, Mm. Mb, Ti
41
Karnataka
40
CARROT (Daur.;us 4.0-11.0 Bb, Mm, TI } Gujarat
carota) Harvesting 4.0-5.0 Bb in summer
42
Bb, Mp in Karnataka
kharif
CUCUMBER At maturity 8.8 Bb, Ti Haryana 14
1
(Cucumis sativa) At maturity 4.8-19.9 Bb, Ti Gujarat
40
5.0-10.0 Bb, Ti, Mm Gujarat
20
upto 10.0 Bb Karnataka
8
MUSK MELON Unripe & ripe fruits 5.3 -9.6 8b Punjab
(Cucumis me/o) Ripe fruits
11.8 Bb, n,
Rm, Haryana 14
FRENCH BEAN 4.0-7.0 Bb, n,
Mm Gujarat
40

(Phaseolus vulgaris) 5.0 Bb, Mp, Ti l<arnata~l2

BOTILEGOURD At maturity 14.6 Bb, Ti Haryana
(Lagenaria siceraria) At maturity 4.1 Ti, Mh Rajasthan 11
1
At maturity 4.1 Bb, Ti Gujarat
411
At maturity 4.0 to 6.0 Bb, Mm Haryana
BEETROOT (Beta Pre harvest 4.0 Bb, n,
Mp Karnataka
41

vulgaris)
41
CHOW-CHOW 0 Bb, Mm, Mp Karnataka
(Sechium edule)
41
ONION (Allium cepa) 0 Bb, Mb, Mp Karnataka
20
RIDGE GOURD (Lutta At maturity Upto 10.0 Bb,Mm Karnataka
acutangu/a)
40
SWEET POTATO Tubers 3.0-9.0 ab, Mm, Ti Gujarat
20
(fpomuea batatus) 4.0 Bb, Mm, Ti Karnataka
SPONGE GOURD At maturity 9.B 8b, Ti Haryana 14
(Lufa cylindrica)
CHILLI At maturity 3.5-11.7 Bb, Ti Gujarat'
40
(Capsicum annum) 4.0-6.0 8b Gujarat
0.6-1.0 Bb, n Karnataka 47
Mp, Bb, Mb, Rr
44
H,Pradesh
40
LUCERN (Medicago 5.0 8b, Ti, Mm Gujarat
sativa)
FRUITS
WATER MELON Ripe fruits 9.9-19.8 Bb, Rm Punjab 15
(CitruJlus vulgaris)
8
SUMMER SQUASH At maturity 5.2-18.4 Bb punjab
9
(Cucurbita smoschta) At maturity 1.4-1.6 Bb, n Haryana

44
APPLE (Pyrus ma{us) 17.0-40.0 Bb, Rr, Mm, H.Pradesh
Ge, Mb
PEACH (Prunus 2.0-7.0 Bb, Mm, Mb, H. Pradesh 44
persical Rr, Ge
P.platycarpa)

124
 Crops Stage Damage (%)1 Species State
YL (yield loss; kg/ha.)

PLUM 1.0-2.0 Bb, Mm, Mb, H.Pradesh

Rr, Ge
BER (Zizyphus jujuba) Nursery 8.0 - 80.0 Ti, Fp, Mm, Mh Rajasthan 16
17
PECAN, (Carya Root damage 17.4 Bb H. Pradesh
iflinoensis) 1.6-6.7 Bb, Mm, Mb,
Rr, Ge
20
SAPOTA (Acrus Ripening stage 5-10% Fp, Bb, TI Karnataka
sapota)
PINEAPPLE Semiripe & ripe B.5 Rn, Bb Meghala~a 15
(Ananas comosus) -do- 4.7 Rm, Bb Mizoram 8
19
Semiripe 44.4 Rr Tamil Nadu
43
Ripening stage 2.6-17 Bb, R/7, Rr NEH reg;on
20
BANANA (Musca Fruits 1.0-2.0 Bb Karnataka
sapientum)
POMOGRANATE' Fruits 6.1-11.3 Fp Rajasthan 16
20
(Punicia granatum) 10-12% Fpm, Bb Karnataka
COCONUT (Cocos Root damage in
21
nucifera) nurseries 6.8-8.0 Bb Karnataka
7
Tender nuts 12.0-15.0 Fpm,Rr Karnataka
22
Tender nuts 21.0-28.5 Rrw Kerala
23
Tender nuts 14.7 Rr A. Pradesh
Tender nuts 4.5-55.0 Rr Lakshadweep
24
islands
Tender nuts 32.0 Rra Andamall
24
Islands
26
Nuts 15.0 Sv, Sc Tripura
40
7.0-11.0 Rr Gujarat
26
COCOA, (The obroma Pods 50.0 Rrw, Ft Tamil Nadu
26
cocoa) Pods 47.6 Rrw, Ft Karnataka
27
Pods 12.57 Ft Karnataka
27
10.28 Rrw Karnataka
32 33
51.3-60.0 Rrw, Ft, Fpm Kerala .
CARDAMOM Capsules 8.7-12.6 Fpm, Bb
(Elettaria Greenish yellow
28
cardamomum) Capsules 20.0 Fpm,Bb Karnataka
In plains 12.0
In slopes 1.4
Average 12.0
29
OIL PALM (Elaeis Seedlings 45.0 Rrw Kerala
30
guineensis) Saplings 11.2 Bb Tamil Nadu
31
Seedlings 10.0 Rre·· Andaman
31
Saplings 29.5 Rra Andaman
22 1
Tender & ripe nuts 50.0-57.3 Rra Andaman • 3
35
CASHEW Nuts 5.7nuts/day Rb,Bb Kerala
36
(Anacardium Seedlings Fpm, Bb, HI, Kerala
occidentale) Rr
RUBBER (Hevea Nursery Root damage Bb, Bf Kerala 37.38
brasiliensis) young plants DebarkIng Rm,Hi Kerals 37.38
20
ARECA NUT Nuts 432g/tree Fpm Karnataka
34
(Arecha catechu) Nuts 20% Fpm . Karnataka
20
Flowering 2.0-3.0 Karnataka
Ti-Tatera indica, Rm-Ratt(.Js meltada, Bb-Bandicota bengalensis; Mh-Meriones hurr/anae,' Mp-Mus p/etythri;r; fir·Reftlls ratlus; GfJ-
Golfunda el/iotl,' Mb-Mus boodug(J; Rn-Rattus nitidus; Fp-Funambulus pannanti, Fpm-Funambulus palmarum; Rrw-R.r. wroughtonl;
Rra-R. r.adamanensis; Sv-Sciurus vulgaris, Sc-Sciurus caro/inansis., Ft-Funambulus tristriatus, Rb-Rsltus blanfordi: Hi-Hystrix indica.

125
(1 )Rena et al., 1994, (2) Neelanarayanan et al., '1994a, (3) Ahmad & Parshad 1985 (4) Parshad, 1987 (5) Brar
& Awasty 1982 (6) Singh et al., 1988 (7) Chakravarthy, 1983 (8) Malhi & Parshad, 1992 (9) Pasahan &
Sabhlok, 1993 (10) Kotadia et al., 1993 (11) Advani & Mathur, 1982 (12) Anon, 2004 (13) Anon 1995 (14)
Kumar & Pasahan, 1995 (15) Chopra & Parshad, 1986 (16) Rana et al., 1999 (17) Sheiker & Jain, 1991 (181
Singh et al., 1994 (19) Nagarajan et al., 1994a (20) Sridhara, 1999 (21) Guruprasad & Srihari, 1983 (22)
Advani, 1985 (23) Rao & Subiah, 1982 (24) Advani, 1984 (25) Sarkar, 1986 (26) Bhat et a/. 1981 (271Thyagaraj
et al., 1996 (28) Snhad & Chal<ravarthy, 1992 (29) 8hat et al., 1990 (30) Nagarajan et al., 1994b (31) Subiah,
1983 (32) Bhat, 1978 (33) Abraham & Remamony, 1999 (34) Nambiar, 1949 (35) Bhat, 1990 (36) Basheer &
Jayaraj, 1964 (37) Jayarathnam, 1980 (38) Nehru & Jayarathnam, 1985 (391 Naidu, 1949 (40) Butani & Vyas,
2005 (41) Anon 2004 (42) Anon 2005 (43) Pathak & Kumar, 2001 (44) Sharma, 2005 (45) Sheik her & Jain,
1997 (46) Chopra & Kapoor, 1993 (47) Govind Raj & Snhari. 2000 (48) Chopra et al., 1999.

Kerala: Cropwise data on species affecting is not available. But plantation crops
such as coconut, areca nut, rubber, cashew and cocoa were damaged by R.rattus,
R.r. wroughtonJ~ F. tristriatus, F.pa/marum, B,indica and B.benga/ensis. Other species
reported were T.indica, M.booduga, H.indica and V.oleracia.
Madhya Pradesh: B.bengalensis, M.meltada and R.rattus damaged paddy, T.indica,
B.bengalensis, M.meltada and M.booduga infested rice, maize and jowar fields.
Pulses were damaged by M.me/tada, B.bengalensis and R.rattus. Pests of soybean
were R.rattus, B.bengalensis and M.meltada.
Maharashtra (Non AICRP reports): R.rattus, B.benga/ensis, M.booduga, M.p/atythrix,
T.indica, G.ellioti, H.indica, F.pennanti and F. tristriatus reported from cultivated
fields (Table 4).
NEH region: Rice was damaged by B.bengalensis, R. nitidus and M.booduga while
maize was affected by B.bengalensis, R.rattus and M.booduga. B.benga/ensis
infested legumes and soybean. B,bengalensis and R.nitidus damaged groundnut.
Pine apple orchards were infested by B.bengalensis, R.nitidus and R.rattus. Animal
facilities were inhabited by R.rattus, M.booduga and B.bengalensis.
Punjab: Wheat was infested by B.benga/ensis, T.indica, R.me/tada and G.el/ioti;
rice by B.bengalensis, R.me/tada, T.indica and G.ellioti and groundnut by T.indica,
R.me/tada, 8.benga/ensis, M.musculus and M.booduga. Sugarcane pests were
B.bengalensis, T.indica, R.me/tada and Mus species.
Rajasthan: M.hurrianae and T.indica are the major pests of pearl millet, green
gram, moth and bean. Near sand dunes G.gleadowi also damages the rainfed
crops. In groundnut, cotton, wheat, mustard and cumin, T.indica, M.me/tada and
M.hurrianae are the pests. In the canal command areas T.indica, M.me/tada
M.booduga, B.bengalensis and N.indica infest. F.pennanti was a pest on orchard
crops. B.bengalensis is progressively invading irrigated crop fields.
Sikkim: B.bengalensis, R.rattus rattoides, voles reported.
Tamil Nadu (Non AICRP reports): B.bengalensis, M.booduga, M.me/tada, T.indica
were the major rodent pests of crops (Table 4).
Tripura: B.bengalensis and Rattus sp.

126
Table 4 : Species composition of rodents in crop fields in states not covered by (AINP) on Rodent
Control

Cra s
State
Paddy Wheat Ground Ragi Cultivated Rice+ Soybean
Nut fields Wheat
AN6AMAN & NA* NA NA NA Me NA NA
NICOBAR
ISLANDS
ARUNACHAL NA NA NA NA Mb 2 NA NA
PRADESH
BIHAR Bb3 NA NA NA NA NA NA
GARHWAL Bb,.Mb, Me, NA NA NA NA NA NA
4
HIMALAYAS Mms, N/
HARYANA NA Bb>Rm> NA NA NA NA NA
Ti>Mb.
5
90.65kg/ha.
MAHARASHTRA NA NA NA NA Bb, Mb, NA NA
Mp, Ga, Ti,
Ft,Hl
B
TAMILNADU 8b>Mm> 7Mb NA Bb>Mm>Mb NA NA Collon Sugarcane
Bb>Mm>Mb 9 Bb>Mm>
9
Mb
UTTAR NA Bb, Ti, Mm '2 NA NA Bb,Mm, Bb, Mp, Rr'4 NA
PRADESH Mb '3
Bb>Ti>Mb>
Mm>NI,
Ge Vo 'S
16 Mp'l
WEST BENGAL Mm NA NA NA NA NA
17
8b
SIKKIM NA NA NA NA Bb, Mph, NA NA
Mm, Red
Reh, Rff,
Rnv, Rn,
Rrt, Rrf,
Rrb, Va,
Hh, Vole
1O
marmot
and
species of
s uirrels 11

Mph - Mus pahari pahanri; Red - Rattus edwardsi edwardsi; Reh - Rattus eha eha; Rff - Rattus fulvescens
fulvescens; Rnv - Rattus niviventer lepha; Rn - Rattus nitidus nitldus; Rrr - Rattus rattoides rattoides; Rrt - Rattus
rattus tistae; Rrb - Rattus (altus brunnesculus; Vo - Vande/eurla o/eracea dumeticola; Me-Mus cervic%r; Mms-
Mus museu/us; Bb-8andicota benga/ensis; Ni-Nesokia indica; Mb-Mus booduga; Ti- Tatera indica; Ft-Funambulus
tristriatus, Ge-Go/unda ellioti; Hi-Hystrix indica; Rr-Rattus rattus; Hh-Hystrix hodgsoni; NA • -Not available.

(1) Mandai & Ghosh, 1984; (21 Mandai, 1981; (3) Bannerjee, 1996; (4) Sheikher et 81.• 1983; 15) Singal &
Pasahan, 1995 (6) Pradhan, 1989; 17l Naelanarayanan et al., 1995; (8) Ibid, 1996; (9) Ibid, 1997; (10)
Bhaskaran et al., 1995; (11) Mandai, 1982; (12) Mathur at al .• 1996; (13) Mathur & Bhaduria, 1998; (14)
Srivastava et a/., 1983; (15) Bhaduria & Mathur, 1994; (16) Mandai & Ghosh, 19aO; (17) Chakraborty, 1975.

127
Uttar Pradesh: Sugar cane was damaged by B.benga/ensis, R.me/tada, T.indica
and M.booduga. Species reported for wheat and rice are B.benga/ensis, T.indica,
M.meftada, N.indica, M.p/atythrix, R.rattus, M.booduga and M. cervic%r.

Extent of damage: The range of damage to food crops and commercial crops viz.
fruits, vegetable and plantation crops are depicted in Figures 1 and 2. Amongst
food crops maximum damage occurs in pearl millet, jowar and red gram at seedling
stage/sown seeds. The other crops damaged upto 10% and above are, wheat,
rice, pearl millet, finger millet, maize, jowar, Bengal gram, green gram, cow pea
and ground nut.

Amongst non-food crops, maximum damage was seen for Ber followed by
cotton (seed), coconut, cocoa, oil palm and apple. Considerable losses were
inflicted to sugarcane, cucumber, water melon, pecan, pine apple and areca nut.
Damage to carrot, musk melon, bottle gourd, chillies, summer squash, sapota
and pomegranate, was also around or above 10%. This consolidated data from all
over the country qualifies rodents as serious pests of almost all cultivated crops
in India.

Information is available from publications made now and then on rodent

pest species in states where AICRP on Rodent Control is not operating, (Table 4).
Information is awful.ly lacking for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Orissa, Bihar,
Uttaranchal, Maharashtra and West Bengal. The two exceptions are Tamil Nadu
and Uttar Pradesh where some committed effort is seen on the role of rodents in
crop fields (Neelanarayana et a/., 1995, 1996 and 1997; Srivastava et al., 1983;
Srivastva 1992 and Bhaduria & Mathur, 1994). B.bengalensis, M.meltada, T.indica
and M.booduga are the major pests in Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh has a rich
complex of rodent pests comprising of B.benga/ensis, M.me/tada, M.booduga,
M.p/atythrix, T.indica, G. ellioti, V.oleracia and R. ra ttus, Generally B. benga/ensis,
M.rne/tada, M.booduga are seen in most of the states. N.indica is limited to north
and north-west India. T.indica is ubiquitous. Sikkim has very rich rodent fauna
(Mandai, 1982), but their status is yet to be determined.

The data compiled in this compendium demonstrates beyond doubt the

extensive damage caused by rodents to almost all cultivated crops in India. The
relative abundance of species, the occurrence of different species complexes in
different agro- climatic zones of the country, the biology of the species, the
extent of damage, the vulnerable stages of crops susceptible to rodent depredation
have been well documented across the country, ih most of the states. This
information is expected to contribute significantly in improving rodent management
strategies for different cropping systems and crops in the country.

128
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