Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2009 to evaluate the microbial consortia mediated resistance against okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fab.) in okra variety, Arka Anamika and hybrid, CoBhH1. The microbial consortium Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 + Beauveria bassiana B2 isolate (Pf1 + B2) was effective in reducing the shoot and fruit borer infestation through seed treatment, soil application and foliar spray. Pf1 + B2 recorded minimum shoot damage during vegetative and reproductive phases (3.99 and 14.33 %) as against untreated check (13.58 and 24.16 %). Fruit infestation was less in Pf1 +B2 consortia treatments on weight and number basis (4.22 and 2.83%), whereas it was 13.59 and 17.96 per cent in untreated check. Phenol content was high in Pf1+B2 consortia treated plants in Arka Anamika (0.94 mg/g) and CoBhH1 (1.39 mg/g), as against untreated check (0.20 and 0.41 mg/g, respectively). There was significant negative correlation between the shoot and fruit borer infestation and phenols (r=-0.937**), defensive enzymes viz., peroxidase (r=-0.909*), poly phenol oxidase (r=-0.993**), and phenyl alanine ammonia lyase (r=-0.960**).

Keywords: Okra, Earias vittella, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Beauveria bassiana, microbial consortia.