Morphological basis of resistance against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) infesting Chilli [Capsicum annum L.]

Investigation was carried out on “Morphological basis of resistance against thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) infesting chilli [Capsicum annum L.]” at Instructional Farm, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Regional Horticultural Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2018-19. The results revealed that, maximum thickness of leaf lamina (1.24 µm) and minimum leaf area (12.16 cm2) were recorded in chilli variety GVC-111 which in turn had moderate number of thrips (3.34/3 leaves). Significantly maximum internode length (11.03 cm), number of branches per plant (6.87), number of leaves per plant (56.87), number of fruits per plant (66.33) and plant height (51.33 cm) were recorded in GAVC hybrid-1 (51.33 cm) which in turn had moderate number of thrips (3.80/3 leaves). On the contrary, minimum days to flower initiation was recorded in GVC-121 (40.47 days) where in thrips population was minimum (2.89/3 leaves). Highly significant and negative correlation (r=-0.836) was found between number of thrips per leaves and number of fruits per plant while, remaining morphological parameters failed to exhibit any significant correlation with thrips population.