Investigation on Mite Pests of Solanaceous Vegetables with Special Reference to Brinjal

Abstract

Investigations on mite pests of solanaceous vegetables were carried out during newline2003-2005 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Among the three newlinephytophagous mites recorded on brinjal, Tetranychus macfarlanei Baker and Pritchard was newlinemost predominant. The natural enemies comprised of three predatory mites and four insect newlinepredators. Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks was recorded on chilli and potato as major newlinepest. In brinjal, spider mite population reached peak twice i.e. in middle of July and newlineNovember. Three peaks of P. latus were noticed in chilli, two in summer and one in rabi. newlineBoth biotic and abiotic factors played significant role in deciding the population of P. latus in newlinechilli. Kharif potato suffered more incidence of P. latus than rabi. newlineOn brinjal, T. macfarlanei completed life cycle faster during summer requiring 22.42± newline0.74 and 26.71± 1.88 days as compared to 32.39±1.59 and 38.5±2.26 days in winter season newlinefor male and female, respectively under laboratory conditions. newlineEstimated reduction in plant height, number of branches and number of fruits due to newlinedifferent release levels of T. macfarlanei in brinjal were 10.23 to 18.99, 9.71 to 29.83 and newline13.55 to 38.81 per cent, respectively under cage condition with 12.18 to 32.21 per cent newlinereduction in yield. High K applied plots recorded lowest number of red spider mites whereas newlinehigh N harboured more number of mites. Maximum plant height, number of branches and newlinefruits were recorded in high N + P + K, RDF, high K + N+P and 50% RDF + vermicompost. newlineUnder laboratory conditions, diafenthiuron (0.075%), spiromesifen (0.024%) and newlinedicofol (0.046%) proved excellent by causing more than 97 per cent egg and adult mortality. newlineAmong botanicals, neem oil (2%) and NSKE (5%) were found effective. Promising botanicals newlineand synthetic chemicals were further evaluated under field conditions. Among botanicals, newlineneem oil and NSKE were found promising. Spiromesifen, diafenthiuron and dicofol were newlinehighly effective against all stages of spider mite. Maximum fruit yields were recorded