Amino acid spectra in larval instars of Helicoverpa armigera on chickpea raised on organic manure and chemical fertilizer NPK

Larval population of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) was highest and about 1.14 times more in the NPK treated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. variety Udai), than in vermicompost treated chickpea. Its development was also inhibited by feeding chickpea raised on vermicompost. Also, the larvae were deficient of lysine and histidine, and consequently, lesser protein content and lowest larval weight (0.0625 g) of the 5^th instar. Total concentration of essential amino acids was lowest in the control. The essential (arginine and threonine) and non-essential (glutamic acid, asparagine and cystine) amino acids were absent in the 1^st to 5^th larval instars of the control. Leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, histidine, arginine and threonine were found in 1^st to 5^th larval instars, which were nourished with NPK treated chickpea. Lysine and histidine titer was lowest in 5^th larval instar of vermicompost treatment.