1Department of Entomology, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, Karnataka, India
2AICRP on Sunflower, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, Karnataka, India
3AICRP on Castor, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, Karnataka, India
4AICRP on Pigeon pea, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 560065, Karnataka, India
*Email: shambhavithyagraj@gmail.com (corresponding author)
A total of 20 castor genotypes were screened against the major insect pests at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Among these genotypes, nine, including the resistant checks DCH-519 and M-574, demonstrated high resistance with a hopper burn grade of 0. The remaining 11 genotypes, including the susceptible checks DCS-9, DCS- 107, and DCH-177, exhibited lower resistance with a hopper burn grade of 1 against the leafhopper complex, Empoasca sp. Walsh. Genotypes BCH-162, ICS-164, and M-574 were found to be free from defoliators, castor semilooper, Acanthodelta janata Linnaeus and the castor spiny caterpillar, Ariadne merione (Cramer). The genotype DCS-9, characterized by its compact spikes and spiny capsules, showed moderate susceptibility to capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée), with a capsule damage score of 2 while 48–1, featuring loose spikes and non-spiny capsules, exhibited resistance to capsule borer damage, receiving a capsule damage score of zero.
Castor, genotypes, resistant, susceptible, leafhopper, Empoasca sp., shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis, damage score
