Screening of bitter gourd, Momordica charantia accessions against cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Tephritidae: Diptera)

Abstract

The present field experiment was carried out to evaluate different germplasm of bitter gourd for resistance against cucurbit fruit fly at Therkumangudi village. Laboratory experiment was carried out in Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University. Fruit fly infestations were recorded in twenty-eight accessions of bitter gourd during rabi, 2018. The maximum mean per cent infestation was recorded in IC-68335 and minimum in IC-85663. Maximum mean larval density was recorded in IC-68230 and the minimum in IC-85635. Fruit weight, length, girth and depth of ridges were positively correlated with fruitfly larval density whereas skin thickness, number of ridges per cm2 were negatively correlated with fruit fly infestation.