Depletion of minerals, inorganic and organic compounds in leaves of sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb.) due to feeding of mite, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher

Depletion of different minerals, inorganic and organic compounds in leaves of sponge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb.) due to feeding of Tetranychus ludeni Zacher, was evaluated in the laboratory. The per cent reduction was iron, 66.6; chromium, 33.3; zinc, 70; silicon, 51.1; nitrate, 3.12; nitrite, 3.7; and chlorophyll, 33.62. Thus, the minerals like iron, chromium, zinc and silicon were greatly affected due to mite infestation vis-a-vis other compounds.