SCREENING OF BOTTLE GOURD GENOTYPES AGAINST FRUIT FLIES BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE (COQUILLETT).

The present study with bottle gourd in the zaid season in open field, assessed the infestation of fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet). The infestation was observed from third week of May, with the peak being in the first week of June. Five varieties and three genotypes were screened and none exhibiting resistance. The incidence assessed by fruit number and weight basis revealed that variety PSPL (28.07and 23.34) and Narendra rashmi (30.32 and 25.14) were least susceptible; Pusa Naveen (34.80 and 30.48), Pant louki -3 (35.85 and 32.03), Thar smridhi (33.66 and 27.68), DBG -5(36.74 and 33.53) and DBG-6 (37.87 and 34.90) were moderately susceptible; while, DBG -10 (39.06 and 36.18) was susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]