Field Evaluation of Microbial Consortia Mediated Resistance
against Okra Shoot and Fruit borer, Earias vittella
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Author:T. Thiruveni , M. Shanthi, R.K. Murali Baskaran and T. Raguchander
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:99, Issue:jan-mar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100025
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**).
Key words : Okra, Earias vittella, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Beauveria bassiana, microbial consortia.