Journal of Environmental Biology

Unravelling host plant resistance in mango: Genotypic variability, weather influence, and key fruit traits affecting the infestation of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)

P. Maruvarasi¹, S.K. Singh²*, P.D.K. Jayanthi¹, B.R. Jayanthimala¹, M. Sankaran¹, M. Arivalagan¹, R. Venugopalan¹ and R. Megha³     

¹ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru-560 089, India

²Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa campus, New Delhi-110 012, India

³Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India

Received: 28 April 2025                   Revised: 01 August 2025                   Accepted: 24 December 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : sanjaydr2@gmail.com                            *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2356-5157

Abstract

Aim: To understand the relationship between fruit morphological traits among different mango genotypes along with associated weather parameters interaction on infestation dynamics of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).

Methodology: Screening of 158 mango genotypes was conducted during two successive fruiting years (2023 and 2024), to assess the population of fruit fly abundance in the field. Fruit fly abundance was analyzed in relation to weather parameters, morphological fruit traits, percentage fruit infestation and mean number of larvae per fruit. Based on these factors, the genotypes were categorized from resistant to susceptible.

Results: High fruit fly infestation during May to June (Mid-season) was recorded with its population density. A positive correlation was noticed between the fruit fly infestation and number of fruit fly trap catches, minimum temperature, relative humidity, morphological fruit traits, such as fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, TSS and number of larvae per fruit. A significant negative correlation for fruit fly infestation was observed with fruit peel thickness. Among 158 genotypes, the genotypes with no fruit fly infestation grouped in the fourth cluster (Ananthabhata Apple, Appemidi, Balekoppa Appe, Dannalli Appe), which may be due to their thicker peel with low TSS and smaller fruit size.

Interpretation: The high fruit fly infestation was found mainly governed by multiple factors like fruit availability (bearing habit) coupled with prevailing weather parameters (minimum temperature and relative humidity). Some fruit morphological traits (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width and TSS) were found to have limited role in fruit fly infestation, however peel thickness was found to significantly influence it.

Key words: Fruit fly infestation, Fruit traits, Mango genotypes, Screening, Trap catch, Weather variables

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