Abstract:The purpose of this study was to investigate the screening of 15 different genotypes of pigeonpea against the pod borer complex. The trials were carried out at the Agricultural Research Station in Badnapur. The larval population of
Helicoverpa armigera was observed to be lowest in BSMR-736 (ch) with a density of 0.39 larvae per plant, whereas the largest population was recorded in AKTE-8811 with a density of 0.78 larvae per plant. The larval population of
Melanogromyza obtusa exhibited the lowest occurrence on BSMR-736 (ch) with an average of 0.44 larvae per plant. Conversely, the largest larval population was seen on AKTE-88-11, with an average of 0.66 larvae per plant. The results of the varietal screening investigations indicated that BDN-2014-1 exhibited the lowest level of pod damage caused by
Helicoverpa armigera, with a rate of 9.5%. Similarly, BDN-2014-1 also shown the lowest level of pod damage caused by
Melanagromyza obtusa, with a rate of 7.0%. Conversely, AKTE-11-2 exhibited the greatest level of pod damage, reaching 13.5%.
The present study focuses on the pigeon pea crop and its susceptibility to the pod borer complex, which comprises many insect pests such as Helicoverpa armigera, Melanagromyza obtusa, Maruca vitrata, and Exelastis atomosa.