Proximate chemical composition of brinjal, Solanum melongena L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), genotypes and its correlation with the natural enemies in Peshawar

Abstract

Coccinella septumpunctata L. (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Syrphidae: Diptera) and Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Chrysopidae: Neuroptera) are the natural enemies of major insect pests of S. melongena in Pakistan. Using host plant resistance and natural enemies can be safe and cheap alternatives to insecticidal control of insect pests of S. melongena. The experiment was conducted at the New Developmental Farm (NDF), The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (UAP) in 2014. Three Brinjal genotypes Shamli, Pearl Long and Black Beauty were used in the study. Overall mean densities of C. septumpunctata, E. balteatus and C. carnea were higher (0.79, 056, 0.44 individuals leaf-1) on Shamli and lower (0.57, 0.45, 0.22 individuals leaf-1) on Black beauty, respectively. The results of proximate chemical composition of S. melongena leaves and fruits varied among the three genotypes. Moisture content was higher (93%) in Black Beauty and lower (92.10%) in Pearl Long. Ash content was higher (6.4%) in Pearl Long and lower (5.4%) in Black Beauty. Crude protein was higher (1.51%) in Shamli and lower (1.30%) in Black Beauty. Crude fat was higher (0.31%) in Shamli and lower (0.28%) in Black Beauty. Total sugars were higher (4.22%) in Shamli and lower (3.96%) in Black Beauty. Fiber content was higher (1.33%) in Shamli and lower (each 1.31%) in Pearl Long and Black Beauty. Densities of the natural enemies were negatively correlated with proximate chemical composition of the three brinjal genotypes except for positive correlation to the moisture, crude fiber and total sugars. These present results will provide baseline for using host plant resistance and natural enemies in insect pest’s control of S. melongena in Peshawar.