Effect of different sowing dates of okra on occurrence of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fabricius

The present investigations on the effect of different sowing dates on okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fabricius were carried out during summer season of 2014–15 at horticulture farm of the College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The study revealed marked differences in fruit borer infestation due to changes in sowing dates. During cropping season the fruit damage varied from 49.66 to 59.07 per cent on number basis. Minimum (49.66%) fruit borer damage was recorded in early sown (14 January) while maximum (59.07%) in late sown crop (13 February). The results showed that the infestation of the shoot and fruit borer increased with the delay in sowing of the crop.