Biochemical estimations of Tetranychus urticae koch infested marigold leaves in summer and winter seasons under screen house and field conditions Bamel Karuna1,*, Gulati Rachna1, Bamel Keshav2 1Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India 2Department of Civil Engineering, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal-131 039, Sonipat, Haryana, India *Corresponding Author: Karuna Bamel, Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India, Email: karunabamel7@gmail.com
Online published on 6 April, 2023. Abstract Background African marigolds an important medicinal and ornamental plant is grown throughout the world. The two spotted red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae is one of the most destructive pests of the crop. Methods Estimation of various minerals and stress measures of T. urticae infested and non infested leaves was performed in two seasons namely summer and winter under both screen house and field conditions. ANOVA was analysed under two factorial completely randomized design. Mite population per leaf was correlated with each biochemical measures and statistical significance of data was analyzed. Result Significantly lower nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content was recorded in infested (2.01, 0.307, 1.509% dry weight) leaves as compared to uninfested leaves (2.93, 0.387, 1.874% dry weight) respectively. Summer season reported higher per cent loss in mineral content as compared to the winter season. The content of total phenol and proline was significantly more in infested leaves (18.75 mg/g, 57.07 μ/100 g) as compared to the uninfested leaves (11.42 mg/g and 47.50 μ/100 g). The per cent increase of phenol and proline ranged from (43.90 and 20.81%) in summer and (42.90 and 17.45%) in winter, respectively. Top Keywords Infested, Leaves, Minerals, Stress measures, Two spotted spider mite. Top |