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Influence of Leaf Age and Chlorophyll Content of Cucurbits on the Incidence and Leaf Consumption of Red Pumpkin Beetle

M. M. H. KHAN
Department of Entomology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to determine the influence of leaf age and chlorophyll content of cucurbits on the incidence and leaf consumption of red pumpkin beetle. Results revealed that the chlorophyll-a content ranged from 0.84 - 1.56 mg g^-1 and 0.70 - 1.54 mg g^-1 fw fresh weight, respectively in young and mature leaves of different cucurbits. The highest quantity of chlorophyll-a was in young leaves of ash gourd and mature leaves of ribbed gourd and the lowest quantity was in young leaves of bitter gourd and in mature leaves of bottle gourd. The highest quantity of chlorophyll-b was in young leaves of sponge gourd and in mature leaves of ash gourd and the lowest quantity of chlorophyll- b was in young leaves of bottle gourd and in mature leaves of bitter gourd. The young leaves of ash gourd had the highest quantity of total chlorophyll and the lowest quantity of total chlorophyll was in young leaves of bitter gourd. The mature leaves of sponge gourd had the highest quantity of total chlorophyll while the lowest quantity of total chlorophyll was in mature leaves of bottle gourd. A negative correlation was found between chlorophyll-a, b and total contents of the leaves and the level of red pumpkin beetle (RPB) infestation. Higher number of RPB was found on mature leaf as compared to young leaves of all cucurbit hosts. The highest leaves consumption by RPB was recorded in young leaves of ribbed gourd and in mature leaves of cucumber. On weight basis, the highest leaf consumption was in young leaves of sweet gourd and in mature leaves of ash gourd. No feeding was observed in both young and mature leaves of bitter gourd.

Keywords: Leaf, Chlorophyll, Cucurbit, Pumpkin beetle

Location: Experimental farm, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur

Start Date: 00-11-2007

End Date: 00-03-2008

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Insects, Pumpkin

Objectives:

To determine the influence of leaf age and chlorophyll content of cucurbits on the incidence and leaf consumption of red pumpkin beetle.

Methodology:

Ten cucurbit host species of red pumpkin beetle (RPB) viz., sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata L.), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L.), ash gourd (Benincasa hispida L.), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.), ribbed gourd (Luffa acutangula L.), snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), khira (Cucumis sativus L.) and musk melon (Cucurbita melo L.) were grown in the experimental farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur during November 2007 to March 2008 following recommended procedures (Rashid, 1993). The experiment was conducted following RCBD. Chemical factors were estimated in the laboratory of Soil Science Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Leaf consumption was estimated in the Laboratory of the Department of Entomology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Plants were selected randomly from each cucurbit host grown in the experimental field. Chlorophyll content (a, b and total) of young and mature leaves of different cucurbits was determined following acetone method as described by Witham et al . (1986). Number of beetles infesting young and mature leaves of various cucurbits was recorded from the experimental field. This operation was done throughout the vegetative stage of plant. All data were analyzed statistically for ANOVA (Steel & Torrie 1960) using MSTAT-C computer software. For the accuracy of the results, the percent data were subjected to square root [ √(x + 0.5)] or log₁₀ (x+1) or ArcSin^-1√x transformation whenever needed. Means were separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Steel & Torrie, 1960). Simple correlation of number of beetles with chlorophyll (a, b and total) content of leaves were computed.

Source of Information: SAARC JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE Vol. 9, Issue 1, 2011, pp. 133-142,ISSN 1682-8348,SAARC Agricultural Information Centre.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results revealed that the chlorophyll-a content ranged from 0.84 - 1.56 mg g^-1 and 0.70 - 1.54 mg g^-1 fw fresh weight, respectively in young and mature leaves of different cucurbits. The highest quantity of chlorophyll-a was in young leaves of ash gourd and mature leaves of ribbed gourd and the lowest quantity was in young leaves of bitter gourd and in mature leaves of bottle gourd. The highest quantity of chlorophyll-b was in young leaves of sponge gourd and in mature leaves of ash gourd and the lowest quantity of chlorophyll- b was in young leaves of bottle gourd and in mature leaves of bitter gourd. The young leaves of ash gourd had the highest quantity of total chlorophyll and the lowest quantity of total chlorophyll was in young leaves of bitter gourd. The mature leaves of sponge gourd had the highest quantity of total chlorophyll while the lowest quantity of total chlorophyll was in mature leaves of bottle gourd. A negative correlation was found between chlorophyll-a, b and total contents of the leaves and the level of red pumpkin beetle (RPB) infestation. Higher number of RPB was found on mature leaf as compared to young leaves of all cucurbit hosts. The highest leaves consumption by RPB was recorded in young leaves of ribbed gourd and in mature leaves of cucumber. On weight basis, the highest leaf consumption was in young leaves of sweet gourd and in mature leaves of ash gourd. No feeding was observed in both young and mature leaves of bitter gourd.

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