Occurrence and severity of mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae) on chili plants: Analysis of pest‐weather and host plant characteristics

Abstract

The abundance, infestation, and severity of the mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus were studied on the chili (Capsicum frutescens L., Solanaceae) varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1, and Bogura Morich from November 2017 to June 2018. The abundance of mites was found from 05 February to 28 May, and the peak abundance on the chili varieties occurred on 09 April. Mite population showed the highest and the lowest occurrences on BINA Morich 1 and BARI Morich 2, respectively. The abundance of P. latus on the chili varieties showed significant positive correlation with temperature, and the relationship with relative humidity and rainfall was negative. Mite population was negatively correlated with leaf trichomes of all the chili varieties, and depicted significant negative correlation with the leaf area of BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1. The number of flower of the chili varieties BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1, and number of fruit of the varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1 and Bogura Morich showed significant negative correlation with mite population. The chili varieties demonstrated significant differences within their leaf curl indices (LCI), and infestation levels of flower and fruit. The BARI Morich 2 revealed the lowest level of mite infestation on flowers and fruits. The varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, and Bogura Morich contained <50% LCI, which were categorized as moderately resistant, and the rest varieties were categorized as susceptible due to >50% LCI.

Incidence of chilli mite on chilli varieties under field conditions

“…Although the frequency of mite attacks did not correlate with plant height in several studies (Borah,1987;Hosamani, 2007;Nasrin, et al 2021), current results showed a positive and significant correlation between plant height and mite attack. Pest attacks can affect the plant height in different crops.…”

“…In another study in Bangladesh, the peak of the mite was recorded in the second week of April (Nasrin et al, 2021). The development and reproduction of mites depend on the temperature and rainfall pattern (Gotosh et al, 2014).…”

“…In a quest to screen the mite-resistant genotypes, tolerant ones were found to have more leaf and higher leaf area under mite infestation than the susceptible genotypes (Sarwar 2014;Satpathy et al, 2008). Apart from the number, the area of the mite-infested plant leaves has been reported to be reduced (Nasrin et al, 2021). While studying the population dynamics, the mite presence was found to reduce the number of leaves, and the area of leaves managed to sustain against the severe infestation (Kumar et al, 2019).…”

“…Mites caused leaf curl damage, resulting in reduced fruit and overall yield. Varieties (BARI Morich 1, 3) that showed the lowest flower and fruit infestation levels were categorized as moderately resistant to mites (Nasrin et al, 2021). Reddy and Puttaswamy (1984) suggested that crop losses due to P. latus varied between 23.87 and 73.29%.…”

“…Latha and Hunumanthraya (2018) screened 30 chilli genotypes and grouped them as resistant, moderately resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible. Nasrin et al (2021) studied five chilli varieties and concluded BARI Morich 1, and BARI Morich 2 were moderately tolerant and others as susceptible to mites. The findings are similar to our results.…”