Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
Forty-six newly developed hybrids and populations of pearl millet were re-screened for their reaction to shootfly, Atherigona approximata Malloch; stem borer, Chilo porlellus (Swinhoe); grey weevil, Myllocerus spp. and leaf roller, Marasmia trapezalis Guen. in 1992–93. The new sources exhibiting resistance comprised three entries MH 365, MH 475, MH 491 to shootfly; seven entries to MH 427, MH 432, MH 456, MH 475, MH 491, MP 219, MP 241 to stem borer; two entries MH 419, MH 420 to grey weevil; and MH 419 to leaf roller. These were selected as highly promising sources of resistance. The entries which showed high susceptibility to different pests were MP 255 (shootfly), HC 4 (stem borer) and HHB 67 (grey weevil and leaf roller). Three entries, viz., MH 420, MH 485, MH 491 can be selected for multiple pest resistance though not showing minimum damage in entirety to these pests. However, each entry was relatively less susceptible to all the pests as compared to all other hybrids and populations, except those entries selected against individual pests.
