Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
World pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.), germplasms comprising 2345 I.P. numbers and 1000 populations, varieties and hybrids were evaluated for resistance to important insect pests Ten entries, viz, I.P. nos 26.1, 29 MD, 36 D, 366, 1176, 1178, 1289, 1302, 1317, 1330 and six entries, viz., BM-46, WC-C-75, PHB 47, MP 14, MH 46, PHB 14 comprising populations, varieties and hybrids were resistant to leaf roller, Marasmia trapezalis Guen. Five entries, viz., I.P. nos. 26 J, 78, 103, 1307, 1362 were resistant to fulgorid, Peregrinus maidis Ashm., while ten entries, viz., I.P. nos 57, 164, 326, 1046, 1130, 1316, 1324, 1364, 1944, 1964 were resistant to earhead worms, Eublemma silicula Swinhoe and Cryptoblabes gnidiella Miller. Four entries, viz, I.P. nos. 79, 263, 1307 and 1395 were resistant to leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Walk. For white grub, Holotrichia consaguinea Blanch., nine entries, viz., 432, 1450, 1538, 1546, 835, 1158, 1365, 1411, 1550 amongst I.P. numbers and six entries, viz., GHB 29, MBH 108, CM 46, CK 556, MBH 110, APHB 109 amongst populations, varieties and hybrids were least susceptible. Three populations H 111, H 1171, H 1193 and one hybrid 5071A x 5–41 were reslstant to hairy caterpillars, Amsacta spp., while four experimental hybrids, viz, PHB 12, PHB 37, N 74 and hybrid 111 were resistant to midge, Geromyia penniseti. Multiple pest resistance was located in MP 31 against shootfly, Alherigona approximata Malloch; stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe); grey weevil, Myllocerus spp.; leaf roller, Marasmia trapezalis Guen.; and flea beetle; and MP 9, MP 15, MP 60, MP 71, MP 80, MP 86, MP 95, MP 106, MP 117, PSB 8 against shootfly, stem borer and grey weevil amongst populations, varieties and hybrids Among LP. nos., entry 26 J showed multiple resistance to leaf roller and fulgorid, while 1307 to fulgorid and Pyrilla. The sources of resistance to individual pests have broadened the base for breeding varieties to suit endemic areas, hot spots or regional/locatlon specific pest problems. Breeding for multiple pest resistant varietiesendowed with all thedesirabletraits will besuitable for planting at the national level.
