Evaluation of Eggplant, Solanum spp. Germplasm against Field Insect Pests’ Infestation at Bunso in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum spp.) germplasm from CSIR – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Ghana were evaluated in field experiments against insect pests’ infestation during the major rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010. Twenty-six accessions were evaluated in 2009 and five were subjected to further evaluation in 2010. Insect species recorded on eggplant accessions in both years included Aphis gossypii (Glover), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) and Leucinodes orbonalis (Gueneé). Camponatus sp. (carpenter ants) was also collected in 2009.  In both 2009 and 2010, leaves of accession GH 5171 harbored significantly lower numbers of A. gossypii.  Leaves of accessions GH 1208 and GH 1113 also harbored the least number of T. tabaci in 2009 and 2010, respectively. T. tabaci preferred flowers to leaves of all eggplant accessions evaluated in 2010. The population dynamics of T. tabaci also fluctuated less on eggplant flowers than on the leaves. The percentage stems attacked by L. orbonalis were not significantly different among accessions in both years.  With respect to fruit infestation by L. orbonalis, although fruits of accessions GH 1208, GH 3944 and GH 3947 were significantly (P < 0.001) less susceptible to infestation in 2009 their yields were relatively low.  Yield obtained ranged from 0 kg/ha in accession GH 1202 (2009) to 837.86 kg/ha in accession GH 5183 (2010). Accessions GH 1113 and GH 5171 combined a relatively good yield with moderate levels of tolerance to all insect pest species identified in this experiment and are consequently recommended for crop improvement programs.

Keywords: Accession, Aphis gossypii, eggplant, Leucinodes orbonalis, Thrips tabaci