The insect antifeedant property of five commonly used fungicides ‐ Bordeaux mixture, Dithane M45, Dithane Z78, Difolaton and Hinosan ‐ was evaluated against fourth instar Rice Swarming Caterpillar, Spodoptera mauritia under laboratory and field conditions. Dithane Z78 was found to exhibit the maximum antifeedant action. The action persisted in field up to 20 days in the case of Dithane M45. There was a positive correlation between reduction in larval and pupal weights of the test insects on one hand and the mean weights of leaf protected over control, on the other. Zusammenfassung Über die hemmende Wirkung einiger Fungizide auf das Freßverhalten von Insekten Die Eigenschaft 5 häufig verwendeter Fungizide (Bordeaux‐Mischung, Dithane M45, Dithane Z78, Difolatan und Hinosan) auf das Freßverhalten von Spodoptera mauritia (4. Larvenstadium) wurde unter Labor‐ und Feldbedingungen geprüft. Dithane Z78 war am wirksamsten. Im Feld war Dithane M45 20 Tage effektiv. Es wurde eine positive Korrelation zwischen der Gewichtsabnahme der Insektenlarven und Puppen einerseits und dem mittleren Blattgewicht andererseits im Vergleich zur Kontrolle festgestellt.

Cauliflower is grown in all the agro climatic zones of India, accounting for an area of 3.9 lakh hectares with production of 73.4 lakh tones. Hence, studies are to be undertaken to identify genotype and analyze the physical characteristics among the cultivated genotypes (Namdhari Seeds 60 N, Namdhari Seeds 133, Pusa Meghna and Basant) grown under hills and plains of Kerala, India. In this study, significant differences were observed in yield of cauliflower which ranged from 21 – 26.4 kg /16 m2 in hills and 0.78 – 1.43 kg /16 m2 in plains. Among the cauliflower genotypes, NS 133 was found to be the best for hilly region in early yield and yield attributes. The cauliflower genotype NS 133 exhibited better performance in hills in terms of high curd yield (26.4 Kg /16 m2), curd weight (800 g) and curd height (13.93 cm). In general, harvest maturity was delayed by 39 – 45 days in the plains as compared to higher altitudes. The cauliflower genotypes which exhibited superior performance in hills and plains were selected for further sensory evaluation studies. In this study cauliflower genotype NS 60N recorded superior organoleptic qualities when grown in plains than hilly region. However in the case of genotype NS 133, the differences in sensory qualities between produce from hills and plains were not significant.

Cauliflower is grown in all the agro climatic zones of India, accounting for an area of 3.9 lakh hectares with production of 73.4 lakh tones. Hence, studies are to be undertaken to identify genotype and analyze the physical characteristics among the cultivated genotypes (Namdhari Seeds 60 N, Namdhari Seeds 133, Pusa Meghna and Basant) grown under hills and plains of Kerala, India. In this study, significant differences were observed in yield of cauliflower which ranged from 21 -26.4 kg /16 m 2 in hills and 0.78 -1.43 kg /16 m 2 in plains. Among the cauliflower genotypes, NS 133 was found to be the best for hilly region in early yield and yield attributes. The cauliflower genotype NS 133 exhibited better performance in hills in terms of high curd yield (26.4 Kg /16 m 2 ), curd weight (800 g) and curd height (13.93 cm). In general, harvest maturity was delayed by 39 -45 days in the plains as compared to higher altitudes. The cauliflower genotypes which exhibited superior performance in hills and plains were selected for further sensory evaluation studies. In this study cauliflower genotype NS 60N recorded superior organoleptic qualities when grown in plains than hilly region. However in the case of genotype NS 133, the differences in sensory qualities between produce from hills and plains were not significant.