Studies on the consumption and utilization of food from recommended hybrids of sunflower by Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) revealed that Jawalamukhi, was the most suitable host for the larval development due to higher amount of food consumed (1.189g), AD (41.26), RGR (0.425) and ECI (16.21), and lower CI (0.1405) on this hybrid. Conversely, lower values of food consumption (0.585g), AD (35.50), RGR (0.234), and ECI (8.93) and higher CI (0.2353) on PSFH-67 made it unsuitable for the larval growth. The other two hybrids, viz. MSFH-8 and SH-3322 also exhibited similar trend as in case of PSFH-67. Among the new hybrids PSFH-383 was considered unsuitable as larval food for H. armigera due to lower values of RGR (0.0332), EC ((7.51) and higher value of CI (0.3693) on this hybrid as compared to those on PSFH-210, PSFH-226 and Jawalamukhi.
Approximate digestibility, Food consumption, Helicoverpa armigera, Larval development, Sunflower hybrids
