Morphological basis of resistance in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids against black Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, “A” Block, College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya, Karnataka during Summer 2024 to elucidate the morphological basis of resistance in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids against black thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny). Thrips infestation exhibited strong negative correlations with plant height (r = -0.88**), plant spread (r = -0.46**), number of primary branches (r = -0.95**), fruits per plant (r = -0.61**), and pedicle length (r = -0.60**), indicating these traits significantly enhance resistance. Other traits such as leaf shape, leaf colour, fruit and flower position, and floral colours varied among hybrids but showed no significant association with thrips incidence. These findings emphasize the role of key morphological features as reliable markers for breeding thrips-resistant chilli hybrids. Integrating these traits into resistance breeding programs can accelerate the development of resilient cultivars, promoting sustainable chilli production and effective pest management.