Screening of chickpea cultivars against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) under unprotected conditions

Screening of elite twenty chickpea cultivars of along with two desi checks PG 186 and L 550 was carried out to evaluate for resistance to major pest Helicoverpa armigera. During the course of present investigation H. armigera was found to be major significance pest, which was mainly associated with leaves, flower and pod of chickpea. Present study revealed that, maximum mean egg and larval population were registered during 13th & 15th standard week respectively. The maximal and minimal number of mean egg population recorded of 12.86, 8.33 on ICC3137, D059 and 5.43, 3.60 on ICCV92944, respectively for 2012-13, 2013-14 seasons from selected five plants. The lowest larval population recorded of 23.33, 12.50 in ICCV07306, ICCV92944 and highest of 32.52, 22.39 in ICC3137, ICCV08107 in respective years. Per cent mean pod damage were ranged from 53.56 to 85.32 and 68.49 to 100 in respective years. The minimum grain yield of chickpea was recorded of 86.11, 158.33 kg/ha in ICCV07306, ICCV3137 and maximum grain yield of 1491.67, 972.42 kg/ha was found in ICCV 097105, ICCV92944 for respective years. Based on damaged rating scale of H. armigera, the moderately susceptible and consistent yield observed in PG-186, ICCV92944, ICCV10 and ICCV97105. This accession can be used for future in IPM programme against H. armigera in large farm level