Solanum macrocarpon, a wild brinjal, is not a source of resistance against brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee

Brinjal (eggplant, aubergine, Solanum melongena L.) is one of the important vegetables. However, its yield and marketable quality are severely affected by brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). There are no confirmed sources of resistance in the crop germ-plasm against this monophagous pest super(1). Conventional methods of management of BSFB, including chemical and biocontrol methods, have so far not been encouraging either. Bt transgenic technology has offered promise of sustainable management of BSFB in brinjal super(2). However, presently there is an indefinite moratorium on the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal (and other GM food crops) in India. Therefore, it is important to systematically screen the brinjal germplasm for possible sources of genetic resistance against BSFB.