Host plant resistance through physico-chemical characters against major insect pests of okra occurring in the Gangetic plains of eastern India

Abstract

Okra production in the tropics is threatened by attack of insect-pests, fruit and shoot borer (FSB), jassid and whitefly causing severe loss in marketable yield particularly in the Gangetic plains of eastern India. No developed varieties/hybrids are free from attack of these pests. However, improved lines of okra have potential to broaden the genetic variability may improve resistance to these pests. Therefore, the population dynamics of these pests were recorded from 24 advance breeding lines/varieties of okra during peak infestation period over two consecutive years. Morphological leaf traits and biochemical parameters were assessed as potential mediators of resistance. The population of these pests reached above economic threshold levels during the month of September. Significant genotypic differences in terms of infestation of these pests were observed. Negatively correlated physico-chemical characters might be considered as important indices for selection of genotype tolerant to these pests. As indicated by the low infestations, the tolerance of BCO-1 to FSB, whitefly and that of Arka Anamika to jassid is based on both antixenotic properties of the genotypes. The donor parents BCO-1 and Arka Anamika should, therefore, be introduced into okra breeding programs to enhance tolerance against these pests.