Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Mohammad Abbas Ahmad, Pankaj Kumar, Deepak Kumar Mahanta and CP Rai

Abstract:
The performance of 15 chickpea varieties/genotypes to Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. was assessed under laboratory conditions based on the development of the insect, seed damage and the various morphological/biochemical parameters of the test varieties. Significant variation was observed among the varieties with respect to pest development and seed damage. Among the various biochemical analyzed, low growth index was observed in the varieties JG 218, JAKI 9218, JG 11, KAK 2, GJG 3, KPG 59, Pusa 391 and JG 315, which recorded < 2.35 growth index were categorized as list susceptible while five varieties viz., RSG44, JGK 1, RSG 888, Vishal and JG 63 exhibited moderate susceptible (2.35-3.00) and the remaining 2 varieties/genotypes viz., ICCV 2 and ICCV 10 showed highly susceptibility (> 3.0 growth index) to bruchid infestation. Among the morphological parameters, seed colour, seed texture and seed size played a significant role on fecundity, developmental period, adult emergence and seed infestation of the test insect. The biochemical parameters like high phenol, flavonoids, tannin and percent protease inhibitor contents of test varieties were detrimental to the growth and development of test insect while protein content of the test varieties favoured the successful development of bruchids and high infestation. The results of study showed that the chickpea varieties ICCV 2 and ICCV 10 were most suitable for ovipositional preference of the pulse beetle and were not related to suitability of morphological characters of seeds for further development.