Impact of temperature and precipitation variability on the sowing time and pest incidence on late-season gourd in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is an agricultural country where most people work in the agriculture sector. However, Pakistan’s agriculture industry is being severely impacted by climate change. This study examines the effects of temperature, precipitation, and pest incidence on late-season gourd crops, focusing on the districts of Mardan and Charsadda. Time series data were obtained from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Meteorological Office, while cross-sectional data were gathered by survey questionnaires in the research area. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the effects of temperature and precipitation on the variability of sowing dates and its subsequent impact on the frequency and growth of pests. Temperature rose by 0.15°C/year in Mardan and 0.1°C/year in Charsadda, while rainfall dropped by 1.4 mm/year and 0.9 mm/year, increasing pest damage to 79% and 75%, respectively. The findings indicate that farmers postpone sowing the gourd crop from the first to the last week of September to protect their crops from insect attacks and other damage. This is because the climatic factors (temperature and precipitation patterns) are changing. The primary pest causing significant harm to the gourd crop is the white fly, which spreads the virus known as mosaic viral disease. It is advised to offer heat-tolerant types with a brief lifespan