Plant-insect interactions in different genotypes of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L) against fruit borer (Meridarchis scyrodes Meyrick)

Differences in genotypes of ber plant characters may affect insect-plant herbivore interactions, and variation genotype traits is responsible for modifying the bottom-up effects. We evaluated performance different Z. mauritiana against fruit borer, Meridarchis scyrodes Meyrick, under field conditions semi-arid region India. found that: (i) four were resistant; 5 moderately 7 susceptible, seven highly susceptible to borers infestation; (ii) per cent infestation was highest Sanur-5 (75.09 %) lowest Safeda (13.27 followed by Tikadi (14.01 %); (iii) phenols (0.96), Tannins (0.95), flavonoid (0.95) contents pericarp thickness (0.88) had significant negative correlations with M. scyrodes; (iv) length (0.50) pulp: stone ratio (0.77) showed positive (v) explained 91.40% total infestation. Two principal components (PCs) extracted, explaining cumulative 88.48 %. PC1 64.34 % variation, while PC2 24.14 n. In conclusion, growers can adopt potential resistant (Safeda) minimal financial investment obtain higher yields.