VINAYAKA K.S., BALBIR SINGH, S. S. YADAV AND SUDHANSHU BALA NAYAK

Ten brinjal genotypes (BR 112, H-8, Arka Keshav, Arka Anand, 30-1, 72-1, 5-3, 28-1, 33-1, Local variety) were screened for resistance against brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and the effect of biophysical characters of these varieties on the shoot and fruit infestation were studied in the field. The data on some biophysical characters, i.e. fruit infestation (%), shoot infestation (%), fruit length, fruit diameter, pericarp thickness, pedicel length, fruit shape and colour, seed density and trichome density were gathered on few selected varieties against the infestation of L. orbonalis. Genotype screening based on morphological parameters revealed that, genotypes 33-3, Arka Keshav, Arka Anand were found highly resistant to brinjal shoot and fruit borer owing to presence of morphological characters which confers resistance to L. orbonalis like fruits length (28.30 cm), less diameter of fruits (8.20 cm), narrow pericarp (0.29 cm), short pedicel (3.03 cm), fruit shape (long), greater number of seeds, high hair density (221.86/cm2 ) and spines. While these factors were found to vary in remaining genotypes which were found susceptible to L. orbonalis.