Identification of antibiotic and antixenotic resistance to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in chickpea

Five short-medium duration desi (small seeded) and 5 medium-long duration kabuli (large seeded) chickpea, Cicer arietinum L., genotypes were screened in the laboratory for antibiosis to Helicoverpa armigera Hübner. Larvae were reared on either chickpea leaves or on pods containing green seeds. Significant variation among the desi genotypes was found for pupal weight and larval survival. Pupae resulting from larvae reared on either pods or leaves of 'ICCV 7' weighed substantially less than those for larvae reared on the susceptible controls, 'Annigeri' and ICC 3137. Pupae of larvae reared on leaves of ICC 506 weighed substantially less than those reared on ICC 3137. There was no variation in the measured parameters for larvae reared on the kabuli chickpea genotypes. In general, pupae of larvae reared on chickpea pods were heavier and developed more quickly than those reared on chickpea leaves. Seven (3 short-medium desi, 2 long duration desi, and 2 long duration kabuli) genotypes were screened in the field for ovipositional antixenosis to H. armigera. Fewer eggs were recorded on ICC 506 than the susceptible controls in both years of the study. These observations were corroborated in laboratory studies of H. armigera oviposition behavior. There was no evidence for resistance to H. armigera in any of the long duration genotypes and it is concluded that long duration genotypes do not express the same level of resistance to H. armigera outside the agroecological zone in which they are normally cultivated