Effects of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) population density on yield loss and damage to brinjal crop

Abstract

Research on the effects of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) population density and crucial crop stage on yield loss and damage in brinjal crop cv. Green Long was investigated at the Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bangalore, Zonal Agricultural Research Station farm. A controlled infection (50–250 mites/plant) conducted between 15 and 105 days following planting showed that the largest mite accumulation during the cropping period occurred when 250 mites/plant were infected at 15 days post-planting. Additionally, throughout the summer, plots infested with 250 mites per plant at 15 DAP had low yields of 18.7 kg/plot, with a corresponding yield loss of 26.09%. Comparably poor yields of 21.3 kg/plot meant a 38.62% loss in kharif.