Screening of moringa germplasm against leaf caterpillar, Noorda blitealis Walker

Abstract

To study the screening of 140 drumstick germplasm against leaf caterpillar, Noorda blitealis Walker at Instructional Research farm, College of Horticulture, Bharregaon Rajnandgaon. Five branches from each plant were selected from all directions i.e. E, W, N, S and central portion of the plants. During entire period of observation leaf caterpillar infestation varied from 0.2 per cent (M- 26) to 87.51 per cent (M- 17). Out of one hundred forty genotypes fifty-six genotypes were received less than 10 per cent infestation which grouped under one category (0-10% infestation). However category two with infestation range of 10-20 per cent received twenty seven genotypes. Remaining Eighteen, Seventeen, five, nine, one, four and three genotypes lines were received more than 20 per cent infestation. Out of 56 genotypes lines, six genotypes namely M-26, M-63, M-19, M-46, M-54 and M-66 were most promising lines exhibited less than one per cent infestation. It may be possible due to plant hardness, toughness and bitter in taste in saving attacked from the insects. These lines can be used in breeding programme fordevelopment of resistant variety against N. blitealis. Apart from these six most promising lines, genotypes M-1 received 2.5 per cent leaf infestation, however, twelve genotypes i.e.M-125, M-86, M-13, M-79, M-93, M-89, M-95, M-39, M-120, M-97, M-98 and M-92 exhibited less than 5 per cent infestation. These thirteen lines are also promising lines which may be used in breeding programme.