Relative susceptibility of Pigeon pea genotypes to pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) in storage*

The seeds of 25 different pigeon pea genotypes were evaluated under “free choice” and “no choice” test with their physical characters imparting resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus. In “free choice” test, adults of pulse beetle were oriented in the range of 1 to 9 adults towards the seeds of different pigeon pea genotypes. There was no any significant difference was noticed in orientation of adults of C. maculatus towards the seed having size and colour of seeds. In “no choice” test, PKV-TARA, BSMR-736 and Vipula was found to be comparatively less ovipositional preference, adult emergence, adult longevity, growth and development period of C. maculatus and also having low growth index. On the basis of grain damage, PKV-TARA, BSMR-736, Vipula and PT-03-142 were observed to be less susceptible to pulse beetle having minimum grain damage and loss in grain weight in the ranged of 76.8 to 79.9 and 2.2 to 4.3% on weight basis, respectively. It was observed that increase in hardness of seed decreased the biological parameters of C. maculatus and grain damage and also increase in number of egg laid on seed increased the grain damages. Growth index increase the grain damage increased. Among the morphological parameters, hardness of seed played important role on biological parameters of C. maculatus and grain damage.