Evaluation of advanced chickpea genotypes for resistance to pod borer, helicoverpa armigera (hübner)

Ten improved chickpea genotypes were evaluated in field condition against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Weekly observations showed that mean larval population of the insect in different genotypes ranged from 5.19 to 9.44 meter row-1 from 2nd week of January to end of February, whereas, the pod damage varied from 9.32 to 30.35%. The results revealed that among the tested genotypes, BG-256 showed the maximum resistance to the noctuid insect followed by KPG-59 with less larval population plant-1, minimum pod damage and highest grain yield. From the experimental findings, it was concluded that the genotypes BG-256 and KPG-59 could be used in crossing/evolving new elite chickpea varieties.