Influence of Trichomes on the Incidence of Two Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae on Brinjal Siddhartha K, Chinniah C*, Shanthi M, Rajamanickam C1, Mini M L2 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre of Innovation Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai625104, Tamil Nadu, India 1Department of Horticulture, Centre of Innovation Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai625104, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Centre of Innovation Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai625104, Tamil Nadu, India *Email: prof.chinniahento@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online Published on 04 January, 2024. Abstract The present study evaluates the effect of host plant resistance by antixenosis (trichomes) in 40 brinjal entries to the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, an important pest of brinjal. The maximum trichome density was observed (719.15/ 0.5cm2 leaf area) with the variety Namakkal local and minimum (276.82/ 0.5cm2 leaf area) was with Tiruppur local. Stellate type of trichomes were observed on all the entries, with maximum length on the upper surface of the leaves being 200.18 μm on Namakkal local, and on lower surface of leaves (269.36 μm) on Chinthapalli local-2. Manapparai local measured 247.40 μm long on midrib and 206.84 μm on veins. The correlation coefficients between the trichome density, length and T. urticae incidence revealed a significant negative correlation. Arka Nidhi was found to be resistant (2.07/ cm2 leaf area) with low trichome density (427.50 μm). Top Keywords Tetranychus urticae, Brinjal, Varietal resistance, Leaf trichomes, Upper and under surface, Density, Length, Antixenosis, Correlation coefficients. Top |