Two-Spotted spider mite (Tetranychus Urticae Koch) induced biochemical alterations across different okra varieties

Abstract

Tetranychus urticae is a prolific feeder of vegetable crops. The present study aimed at studying the biochemical changes and qualitative loss due to the mite feeding in the form of major (N, P and K) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) from okra leaves. Sixteen varieties of okra were randomly raised in experimental plots at Horticulture farm of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. The healthy and mite infested leaves were plucked from the field and their biochemical analysis was conducted at laboratory. It was observed that there was considerable reduction in nutrients across all varieties due to mite feeding. The nutrient of healthy and infested leaves was correlated against mite population. Among infested leaves, it was found that the N, P, K and Cu concentration were non-significantly positively correlated to mite population whereas a significant negative correlation was noticed with Fe, Zn and Mn to mite infestation. It was observed that mite infestation besides degrading the nutritional value of crop also reduces the yield.