ROLE OF PHYSICO-MORPHIC CHARACTERS OF DIFFERENT OKRA GENOTYPES IN RELATION TO POPULATION OF JASSID, AMRASCA BIGUTTULA BIGUTTULA ISHIDA

This study was conducted in Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan during the year 2010 to evaluate the role of physico-morphic characters of five okra genotypes (Sharmeeli, Pusa Green, Anokhi, Arka Anamika and Sabz Pari) against jassid, Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida. The results indicated that all tested genotypes differed significantly in relation to leaf hopper population density. Same pattern was observed for morphological attributes except hair density on leaf veins. Genotype Arka Anamika had minimum population (1.61±0.31 hoppers/leaf) and found comparatively more resistant to jassid’s attack. In contrast, genotype Anokhi proved as highly susceptible with maximum jassid population (3.07±0.56 hoppers/leaf). The leaf hopper population continuously increased from third week of June to 2 nd week of July. Correlation co-efficients between population of A. biguttula biguttula and different physico-morphic characters of okra revealed highly significant, strong and negative correlation for hair density on lamina and fruit yield per plant while non-significant, weak and negative correlation for hair density on midrib, leaf area and dry shoot weight. The output implies the identification of resistant source against A. biguttula biguttula which can be exploited for plant genetic improvement and cultivation of okra crop where pest causes substantial yield losses.