Biochemical bases of eggplant susceptibility to shoot and fruit borer and their genetic control [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A series of experiments were conducted involving 70 genotypes to identify the source of resistance against shoot and fruit borer of eggplant and to understand the biochemical bases of resistance and with two distinct categories of genotypes: 3 least/moderately susceptible (lines) and 6 highly susceptible (testers) to determine their genetic control The genotypes showed different susceptibility grades, 40 most susceptible, 13 highly susceptible, 9 susceptible, 7 moderately susceptible and 1 least susceptible. Highly significant positive correlations between sugar and protein contents and borer infestation and highly significant negative correlation between phenol content and borer infestation revealed the proposition of larval non-preference and antibiosis mechanisms of resistance in the genotypes. Population means for shoot and fruit borer infestation, phenol and sugar contents in the fruits of the hybrids corresponded closely to the mid parental values. It revealed much higher additive than dominance genetic variance for both shoot and fruit infestation. The inheritance was predominantly additive for phenol content and mainly dominance for protein content, while sugar content of the fruits was conditioned by additive and dominance variance, additive being greater in magnitude. Genotypes like HE 12, Pusa Purple Cluster having high phenols and lower sugar and protein contents in the fruits could effectively be utilized in breeding less susceptible eggplant varieties with good horticultural and cosmetic characters. The hybrids of such least/moderately susceptible x highly susceptible parents showed less susceptibility compared with the susceptible parent however, it will be essential to develop both the parental lines with higher phenol and lower protein and sugar contents in the fruits along with other good horticultural qualities to build up appreciable tolerance in the hybrids.

Summary in Arabic.

1