Effect of Total Free Amino Acid Content on Pod Damage by Pod Borers in Field Bean

A study was undertaken to understand the changes in biochemical constituents like total free amino acid content in two tolerant entries (MAC 3 and LMA) and two susceptible entries (DB and HA 3) of field bean pod borers namely H. armigera and A. atkinsoni. The total free amino acid content was lower in the tolerant entries than in the susceptible ones. MAC 3 recorded the lowest (6.5, 1.8 and 2.5%), while HA 3 recorded the highest free amino acid content (8.1, 2.4 and 3.1%) in leaves pods and seeds, respectively. The mean total free amino acid content was 7.2, 2.1 and 2.8 per cent in leaves, pods and seeds, respectively.