Occurrence and severity of mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae) on chili plants: Analysis of pest-weather and host plant characteristics

The abundance, infestation, and severity of the mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus were studied on the chili (Capsicum frutescens L., Solanaceae) varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1, and Bogura Morich from November 2017 to June 2018. The abundance of mites was found from 05 February to 28 May, and the peak abundance on the chili varieties occurred on 09 April. Mite population showed the highest and the lowest occurrences on BINA Morich 1 and BARI Morich 2, respectively. The abundance of P. latus on the chili varieties showed significant positive correlation with temperature, and the relationship with relative humidity and rainfall was negative. Mite population was negatively correlated with leaf trichomes of all the chili varieties, and depicted significant negative correlation with the leaf area of BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1. The number of flower of the chili varieties BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1, and number of fruit of the varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1 and Bogura Morich showed significant negative correlation with mite population. The chili varieties demonstrated significant differences within their leaf curl indices (LCI), and infestation levels of flower and fruit. The BARI Morich 2 revealed the lowest level of mite infestation on flowers and fruits. The varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, and Bogura Morich contained <50% LCI, which were categorized as moderately resistant, and the rest varieties were categorized as susceptible due to >50% LCI.