Accessing resistance against fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Gune.) infestation in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). – a review

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most important vegetable of Asian continent and having India as its center of origin. The major cause of importance is its high medicinal values i. e. curing cancer and as well as nutritional values e. g. good source of antioxidants. During whole cropping season brinjal faces many stresses and insect pests. One of the most important insect pests causing damage to both productivity and quality of brinjal is shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Gune.). A single larva can damage as many as 6 fruits by boring into shoot and fruit causing 60%-70% reduction in yield. Many breeding approaches have been utilized to screen out germplasm having resistance against its insect pest. All available germplasm was screened out to look for resistant traits. Various morphological and biochemical traits have been identified that were associated with resistance to insect infestation. Many wild relatives of crops that have been identified carrying resistance against this insect pest that can be utilized in breeding programs. One the most popular technique of development of transgenic crops can also utilized to develop Bt brinjal carrying Cry1Ac toxin that cause death of shoot and fruit borer by disrupting its midgut. This review carries all breeding and biotechnological concepts and approaches to develop resistance against this dangerous insect pest.