Botanical Modulation of Pest Pressure and Host Response in Brinjal Using Solanum surattense Leaf Extract

Abstract

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of leaf extract on pest response in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). Fresh leaves of Choti Kateri (Solanum surattense) were collected from nearby roadside areas and cleaned properly before use. The collected leaves were dried and treated to ethanol extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus. The prepared extract was applied in three different concentrations, 5 mL, 10 mL and 15 mL, along with an untreated control. Each treatment was maintained with five replications to obtain consistent results. Pest response was observed at regular intervals after the application of the extract. The recorded data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA. The results indicated that pest response differed according to the concentration of the extract and also varied with time after treatment.Among the tested concentrations, the 15 mL at 72hr of mean 2.4(1.69) extract showed a better and more consistent effect, especially between 48 and 72 hours after application. The lower concentrations showed only a mild and short-term response. No response was recorded in the control treatment. The results indicate that leaf extract of Solanum surattense shows good potential as a natural agent for decreasing pest activity in brinjal.