Screening of chickpea genotypes against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 201617 at Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi under field conditions. Twenty chickpea genotypes along with susceptible and resistant check, Annageri-1 and C-235 was screened against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera. Weekly observations on larval population of H. armigera (per metre row length) in each genotype were recorded and the first incidence of H. armigera was observed in 3^rd standard week in all genotypes. The peak larval population of H. armigera was observed during 10^th standard week. The mean larval population of H. armigera on different genotypes was ranged from 1.54 larvae/mr⁻¹ to 6.54 larvae/mr⁻¹. The genotypes BG-372 (1.54 larvae/mr⁻¹) and KWR 108 (2.79 larvae/mr⁻¹) recorded lowest larval population density which was at par with resistant check C-235.BG 256 recorded significantly highest number of larvae population which was at par with BG 1053 (6.53 larvae/mr⁻¹), Annigeri-1 (6.33 larvae/mr⁻¹), PUSA 128 (5.94 larvae/mr⁻¹), PHULE G0027 (5.59 larvae/mr⁻¹), GNG 469 (5.58 larvae/mr⁻¹), GLK 26155 (4.97 larvae/mr⁻¹) and AVRODHI (4.85 larvae/mr⁻¹), respectively. On the basis of percent pod damage, the genotype KPG 59 recorded significantly lowest percent pod damage (6.87%) which was at par with GNG 1958 (11.93%), RSG 888 (11.98%) and GNG 1581 (12.02%), respectively. The genotype HK 4 had recorded significantly highest per cent pod damage (26.66%) which was at par with PUSA 128 (24.44%), HC 5 (20.55%) and KWR 108 (20.48%) per cent pod damage, respectively. The genotypes RSG 888 (16.37 q/ha), CSG 8962 (14.73 q/ha), VISHWAS (14.55 q/ha) and GNG 2144 (13.64 q/ha) produced highest grain yield.