Field evaluation of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes for resistance against melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett)

Abstract

Fifteen bitter gourd genotypes have been evaluated for bio-physical basis of plant resistance against melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) under field conditions during 2019. Among 15 bitter gourd genotypes, six genotypes viz., IC622912, IC599423, IC622913, IC622906, IC599434 and IC622908 showed moderately resistant reaction with significantly lower fruit infestation ranging from 37.78 to 48.44 per cent with larval density vary from 3.37 to 8.69 larvae per fruit. Remaining nine genotypes viz., IC616045, IC599421, IC611325, IC599420, IC622909, IC599424, IC599401, IC616046 and Pusa Do Mausami were found susceptible with significantly higher fruit infestation (51.44-74.44%) and larval population (4.83-10.13/fruit). Significant and positive correlation was observed between percent fruit infestation and larval population per fruit. Fruit infestation was positively correlated with biophysical traits of bitter gourd fruits viz., fruit length, fruit diameter and flesh thickness and negatively with number of ridges/cm2 (middle part) of fruit.