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Influence of Gossypol Content in Okra on Infestation by Shoot and Fruit Borer, Earias vitella

Author: Anju Viswanathan K. and Madhu Subramanian

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Abstract

Okra is one of the most important vegetables in every Indian kitchen. Considering its production, productivity is very low because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vitella, is the most important biotic factor that contributes to a major share to yield reduction. Exploitation of host plant resistance mechanisms is found to be the most sustainable and eco-friendly method of pest management. In this scenario, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of gossypol, a prominent allelochemical present in okra and other Malvaceae crops, on the incidence of shoot and fruit borer in okra. A total of fifty okra genotypes were screened for their resistance to shoot and fruit borer at the College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, in open field conditions. The fruit damage varied between 3.42 to 85.31 per cent. The least fruit damage was shown by the variety Susthira and the highest by IC 117123. The gossypol content among fifty genotypes also showed significant variation from 0.78 μg g–1 to 26.80 μg g–1. The correlation studies revealed a significant negative association (-0.701***) between gossypol content and shoot and fruit borer damage in okra.

Keywords

Okra, Shoot and fruit borer, Earias vitella, Gossypol, Correlation, Host plant resistance

Conclusion

Along with many biochemical and morphological parameters, the gossypol content of plants play a prominent role in making a host plant resistant or susceptible to insect attack. The study on the effect of gossypol content of okra on infestation by shoot and fruit borer Earias vitella revealed a negative correlation between gossypol content and fruit damage

References

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How to cite this article

Anju Viswanathan K. and Madhu Subramanian (2024). Influence of Gossypol Content in Okra on Infestation by Shoot and Fruit Borer, Earias vitella. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(4): 108-113.