The biochemical basis of shoot and fruit borer resistance in interspecific progenies of brinjal (Solanum melongena)

The biochemical basis of host plant resistance for shoot and fruit borer of brinjal was investigated using selected genotypes from the back crosses involving cultivated brinjal varieties and Solanum viarum. The different levels of biochemical constituents namely peroxidase, poly phenol oxidase, total phenols, and solasodine contents were observed in genotypes derived from inter-specific crosses and their parents. A higher level of polyphenol oxidase activity was observed in interspecific cross F 6 EP65 x S. viarum. There was a clear correlation between the levels of biochemical constituents and shoot and fruit borer incidence. This study showed the biochemical parameters responsible for the resistance but showed as well the development of superior genotypes with resistance to shoot and fruit borer.