Evaluation of chilli germplasm against, yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

Abstract

Abstract

To record the incidence of P. latus, the seeds of fourteen chilli hybrids; 10/CHIhyb-2, 10/CHIhyb-6, 10/CHIhyb-11, 10/CHIhyb-5, 10/CHIhyb-7, 10/CHIhyb-9, 10/CHIhyb-3, 10/CHIhyb-12, 10/CHIhyb-10, 10/CHIhyb-16, Kashi Anmol, 9/CHIhyb-4, 9/CHIhyb-8 and 9/CHIhyb-10 were sown in nursery beds under natural conditions from June, 2013 to November, 2013 in the Research Farm Area, Department of Vegetable Sciences, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana) following standard agronomical practices. The field was divided into plots of 3m × 2.7m with spacing 60 cm × 45 cm. Plots were made as per requirement of experiment design. Transplanting of plants was done in the month of August. The plants were continuously monitored in unprotected conditions and these were naturally attacked by P. latus. Screening of chilli hybrids were initiated with the appearance of the pest on the crop. In the present investigation, mites were encountered only on ventral surface of chilli leaves. During the study period, the fourteen chilli hybrids exhibited wide difference in population of P. latus (2.53 to 6.28 mites per leaf), however, none of them was found immune to this pest. Among the hybrids, maximum population developed on hybrid 10/CHIhyb-7 (6.28 mites/leaf) followed by 5.70 mites/leaf on 10/CHI Hyb-6; both were statistically comparable with each other but significantly higher than population recorded on other hybrids. Least number of mites, 2.97 and 2.53 mites/ leaf was observed in hybrid 9/CHI Hyb-10 and 9/CHI Hyb-8 hybrids, respectively as compared to other hybrids.