CULTIVAR VARIATION OF CAULIFLOWER AGAINST CABBAGE BUTTERFLY Pieris brassicae (L.) PIERIDAE: LEPIDOPTERA

In the present study, eighteen genotypes of cauliflower were used to identify their resistance and susceptibility against cabbage butterfly. All genotypes were sown following RCBD with three replicates and plant-to-plant as well as row-to-row distance was maintained as 0.46m and 0.61m, respectively. Data regarding larval population were recorded by selecting 10 plants randomly from each plot at 4±1 day intervals throughout the crop season and analyzed following DMR test at p=0.05. Genotypes viz. Cool Sun-70, Cauliflower Desi, Cash Mare, White Island were susceptible; whereas Shumila F1 H was recorded as intermediate; however, Pari F1 H showed resistant responses during 2008-09. They were again sown during 2009-10 to confirm the findings of the previous year. The population of Pieris brassicae differed significantly among genotypes, dates of observation and among their interactions. The genotype Cool Sun-70 was recorded susceptible; whereas Pari F1 H was recorded as resistant with 30.02 and 3.44 per plant population of P. brassicae, respectively. Based on the preliminary screening trials data, selected genotypes viz. Cool Sun-70, Cauliflower Desi, Cashmere, White Island, shumila F1H and Pari F1 H differed significantly regarding per plant population of P. brassicae. The highest population (28.71 per plant) was observed on Cool Sun-70, whereas minimum population (15.45 per plant)was recorded on Pari F1 H, and these two cultivars were proved to be susceptible and resistant cultivars, respectively against P. brassicae.