COMPARATIVE INFESTATION OF BRINJAL STEM BORER (Euzophera perticella) ON SIX AUBERGINE CULTIVARS AND CORRELATION WITH SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

Brinjal stem borer (Euzophera perticella Rag.) is widely distributed in Pakistan and can cause considerable yield losses. In the present study six aubergine cultivars were assessed for their host preference against the pest in field conditions. Significant variations were recorded in infestation of brinjal stem borer on six aubergine cultivars after 40, 70 and 100 days of transplantation as measured in infested tunnel size. Minimum infestation was observed on Nirala followed by Karishma and Black Long while the infestation was found to be the maximum on Neelam. Similarly, the infestation was the minimum after 40 days and significantly increased after 70 and 100 days after transplantation. The correlations between borer infestation and morphological characteristics were also found significant. Brinjal stem borer infestation had positive significant correlation with stem diameter, number of branches per plant and plant height while negative significant correlation with number of hair/cm(2). However, plant height was negatively non-significantly correlated with yield per plant. It was observed that with an increase in plant height, stem diameter and number of branches per plant, there was a significant increase in infestation. On the other hand the cultivars with maximum number of hair/cm(2) showed a decrease in infestation and increased yield. As Nirala and Karishma suffered less damage by the borer and are therefore, recommended for cultivation.