POST INFESTATIONAL CHANGES IN THE NUTRITIVE ELEMENTS OF THRIPS (PSEUDODENDROTHRIPS MORI) ATTACKED MULBERRY (MORUS SP.) FOLIAGE

Author(s): Mahadeva and MP Shree

Abstract

Mulberry, the sole food of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is prone to various pests and diseases. The injury caused during the feeding behavior of insect pests may alter the physiological activities and leading to imbalances in the nutritive constituents of the host plants. An study has been made to know the level of six macro (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur) and seven micro nutrients (zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum and chloride) elements in the thrips (Pseudodendrothrips mori Niwa.) attacked leaves of six popularly cultivated mulberry varieties. The results revealed a large variation in the nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulphur and molybdenum content. The remaining elements were changed non-significantly. Feeding such leaves may cause a variation in growth and development of the silkworm, which results the low yield and poor quality of silk.

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