Assessment of avoidable losses due to seed borer, Trymalitis margarias Meyrick in different varieties of sapota under high density plantation

Abstract

Studies were conducted to assess avoidable losses due to seed borer, Trymaliti margarias Meyrick in eight varieties/hybrids of sapota under high density plantation (5 x5 m). The fruit infestation was found significantly maximum in Kalipatti (3.91%) and DHS 2 (3.13%) under protected condition in overall six fruit pickings. Whereas under unprotected plot, the significantly higher fruit damage of 7.81% was reported in Kalipatti, after that in DHS 2 (5.88%) and Cricket ball (5.00%). The maximum reduction of fruit damage was found in Kalipatti with 49.93%, after that in Cricket ball (48.00%) and DHS 2 (46.76%). However, the fruit damage reduction was less in PKM 4 (29.67) and PKM 3 (27.94%), which already had less fruit infestation under unprotected plot. In terms of avoidable losses on the basis of marketable fruits yield, the losses were anticipated more in Cricket ball (53.99%), Kalipatti (51.90%), DHS 2 (49.35%) and CO 3 (45.16%). However, the moderate to low avoidable losses were noted in DHS 1 (38.51%), PKM 3 (36.00%), PKM 1 (31.33%) and PKM 4 (28.70%).