Host Plant Resistance in Ridge Gourd to Fruit Fly Zeugodacus Cucurbitae (Coquillett)

An investigation on screening of ridge gourd Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. genotypes against fruit fly Zeugodacus Cucurbitae (Coquillett) was undertaken during 2017–2018. Infestations varied significantly between the genotypes, with maximum being in the genotype, Vdg-1 (73.74± 1.61). The grouping of genotypes revealed that none were found to be highly resistant and resistant. The infestation of fruits varied across the age of the crop with maximum being at initial crop stage. Higher infestation was observed at younger crop age. Weight loss due to infestation was high during initial crop stage compared to the final harvest. The variations in the ridge length, height, diameter and flesh thickness were found to be important morphological traits assuring reduced infestation. These traits have proved to be important criteria for breeding resistant genotypes.