Varietal Screening of Stored Pigeonpea for Resistance to Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Ten varieties of pigeonpea were assessed for their relative susceptibility to seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), in storage under no-choice and free-choice conditions during 2022-23. Under no-choice condition, the variety LRG 133-33 recorded maximum emergence (116.0 adults) and grain damage (62.67%), while LRG 467 had the least values for adult emergence and grain damage (56.33 no. and 32.33%, respectively). Under free-choice condition also, LRG 467 showed significantly higher level of resistance against seed beetle allowing very less emergence ( 50.33 adults) with minimum grain damage ( 34.67%) compared to other varieties. The resistance reaction of LRG 467 variety against C. maculatus was further confirmed in dual-choice test, wherein the number of adults emerged was lower (79) against LRG 133-33 (104). The seed beetle took slightly longer period for egg to adult emergence on LRG 467 (23.92 days) compared to LRG 133-33 (22.73 days) indicating the interference of some secondary metabolites in larval growth and development of the insect.