DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i10.008

Pages: 570-574

Abstract: Six brinjal varieties, i.e., Padagoda (BW 11), SM- 164, Amanda (F1 hybrid), Anjalee (F1 hybrid), Thinnavelli Purple and HORDI Lenairi 1 (F1) were screened for resistance to brinjal shoot and pod borer (Leucinodes orbonalis guenée) and the effect of biophysical characters of these varieties on the fruit and shoot infestation was studied in a field experiment at Agronomic farm Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. 15 plants per replication and a total of 60 plants per genotype were maintained throughout the experimental period. Data on shoot and fruit infestations were recorded in order to screen the brinjal varieties and the data on biophysical characters, i.e., shoot thickness, trichome density, pedicel length, length of calyx, length of fruit and diameter of fruit were gathered to explore the influence of biophysical characters of the selected varieties on the infestation of L. orbonalis the results of this study showed that fruit and shoot infestations were lowest in Amanda (F1) and highest in Padagoda (BW 11). Therefore, Amanda (F1) can be suggested as a resistant variety to brinjal shoot and pod borer. Moreover, the findings confirm that the varieties with short pedicel and calyx and low diameter of fruit are tolerant and moderately tolerant to the infestation of brinjal shoot and fruit borer.