Correlation between proximate chemical composition and insect pests of loofah, Luffa cylindrica Mill., (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) cultivars in Peshawar

Abstract

An experiment on the “Correlation between proximate chemical composition and insect pests of Loofah, Luffa cylindrica Mill., (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) cultivars in Peshawar” was carried out at the New Developmental Farm (NDF) of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar in 2014. Four loofah cultivars, i.e. Peshawar local, Chikni (India local), Agro (India hybrid) and Malik were sown separately in May, 2014 and replicated each three times. Population dynamics of insect pests was determined on each loofah cultivar at weekly basis. Proximate chemical composition of loofah leaves and fruits was determined of each loofah cultivar. Proximate chemical composition of loofah leaves and fruits yielded variable results for the four cultivars. Moisture, protein and vitamins were higher in leaves and fruits of Malik; ash and mg in Agro; Fe, Zn and Ca in Peshawar local. Fiber content was higher in leaves of Malik, while in fruits of Agro. Mg was higher in leaves of Peshawar local, while in fruits of Agro. These results may be utilized in developing a sustainable pest management strategy of insect pests of loofah in the agro-ecological system of Peshawar.