Varietal and physico-morphic resistance of okra cultivars against Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract

Effect of jassid population on different okra varieties was observed on the time frame at different life stages of the plant and effect of physio-morphic characters. Linear mixed models and growth curves were used by keeping plants effect random to account repeated measures data and cubic trend interaction with verities was found to be significant using AIC, BIC and deviance criteria of model selection. Nested designs were used for the area within each plant. Results revealed Arka Anamika (6.96 insects/plant) to be the most resistant cultivar among all the five tested cultivars followed by Super Green (8.11 isnects/plant). Ambika (13.3 insect/plant) was least resistant cultivar among all the five tested cultivars. Host plant resistance was enhanced by the hair density on plant leaves of okra cultivars; cultivars having high density of trichomes showed high resistance towards the jassid infestation. Leaf area differences drive the insect population was also calculated.