BLACK PEPPER (PIPER NIGRUM L.) F1 HYBRIDS ASSESSMENT AGAINST THE STEM BORER (LOPHOBARIS PIPERIS) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Yield losses from stem borer (Lophobaris piperis Marsh) attacks have reached up to 72%. Currently, information on the preference and intensity of stem borer attacks on the black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is limited. This study represents the first effort to develop stem borer-resistant black pepper cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. An assessment of stem borer preferences among 29 F1 hybrids and their five parental cultivars commenced under laboratory conditions. The F1 hybrids displayed a range of resistance levels, resulting from crosses between highly preferred and less preferred black pepper varieties. Among the 29 F1 hybrids, three were highly resistant, 12 were resistant, 10 were moderately resistant, two were moderately susceptible, one was susceptible, and one was highly susceptible. These findings provide a promising material for developing resistant black pepper cultivars that support integrated pest management strategies and promote environmental sustainability.