Screening of Chrysanthemum Germplasm for Resistance to two Spotted Spider mite, Tetranychus Urticae Koch and Bud Borer, Helicoverpd Armigera (Hb.)

Twenty germplasm collections of chrysanthemum grown under poly house were evaluated for their relative resistance/susceptibility to two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and bud borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. The mite infestation was recorded both on leaves and flowers. The incidence on leaves was the lowest (<l/leaf) in Angel Bell and highest(>10/leaf) in Collection No. 10. The population on flowers was as high as 5.2/floret in Arka Ravi while flowers of two varieties viz., Heavenly Tech and Frost Whisker remained free from mites. Six collections viz., Angel Bell, Arka Swarna, Chandrika, Nilima, Snow Ball and Collection No.9 were least susceptible (<10% damage) to bud borer while three varieties viz., Collection No.10, Collection No.12 and Heavenly Tech were found to be highly susceptible (>50%).