Studies on population dynamics and damage potential of banana leaf and fruit scarring beetle, Basilepta subcostatum jacoby on local and wild banana genotypes of Tripura

Abstract

The present experiments was conducted to study the population dynamics and damage potential of banana leaf and fruit scarring beetle, Basilepta subcostatum Jacoby on eight local and wild banana genotypes like Shabri (AAB), Mizo-Cavendish (AAA), Katch Kela (ABB), Champa (AAB), Gopi (ABB), Attia Kela (BB), Kanai Basi (AA) and Musa flaviflora at banana orchard, College of Agriculture, Tripura during 2018-19. The highest mean number of beetle population per plant and scars on 10 sq.cm leaf were recorded on Mizo-Cavendish (16.84/ plant and 21.26/ 10 cm2) followed by Shabri banana (13.36/ plant and 16.20/ 10 cm2) and katch Kela (9.62/ plant and 12.63/ 10 cm2). Whereas, the lowest population and scars were recorded on Musa flaviflora (0.24/plant and 0.37/ 10 cm2), Kanai-Basi (0.35/ plant and 0.69/10 cm2) and Attia Kela (0.67/ plant and 1.51 /10 cm2). The highest beetle population and peak infestation (scars) noticed during 27rd standard week (July 3rd week) to 39th standard week (Sept. 4th week). The incidence of beetle population and scars produced by the beetle was positively and significantly correlated with rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature except relative humidity. Significantly highest fruit damage per bunch was recorded in Shabri cultivar (87.53 %) followed by Mizo-Cavendish (78.13 %) and Champa (65.86 %). Also the least infested bunches were Kanai Basi., Musa flaviflora and Attia Kela which ranged from 2 to 5 per cent.