Role of Different Physico-Chemical Characters of Okra as a Host Plant for Preference of Earias spp.

Spotted bollworms are very important pests of okra and host plant resistance is one of the most important components of IPM for minimizing the losses caused by these insects. In the current studies, a diverse genetic pool of okra genotypes was evaluated to identify physico-morphic and chemical plant factors conferring resistance against Earias spp. Susceptibility of okra to this pest was associated with more dense hairs on leaf midrib and high amount of crude protein, reducing and non reducing sugars. While ten fruit weight and fruit yield per plant were negatively correlated with pest infestation. Mineral contents like Ca, Mn and Zn showed negative correlation but their contribution towards fruit infestation was very nominal. Multiple linear regression models indicated that biochemical factors explained more (99.0 %) variation in fruit infestation than the physico-morphic factors (91.0%). Present studies reflect that genotypes Diksha, Sapz pari and Super star can be used as a source of resistance in okra and hair density on midrib, high amount of crude protein, reducing and non-reducing sugars can be used as marker traits to select for resistance against Earias spp.