Physical and biochemical bases of resistance in groundnut against bruchid, Caryedon serratus (Olivier)

A laboratory experiment was taken to study the “physical and biochemical basis of resistance in groundnut against bruchid, Caryedon serratus (Olivier)” at department of entomology, college of agriculture, svpua&t, Meerut during August 2018 to February 2019. Varietal screening of groundnut pods against bruchid were carried out with ten varieties and the performance of the varieties was assessed based on the physical and biochemical parameters. These varieties showed significant differences in the physical parameters selected for study such as pod length × width, pod shell thickness, test weight and inter granular space. Shell thickness contributed to resistance, while other parameters, pods size, test weight and inter granular space to susceptibility. Chemical parameters of those varieties showed significant differences for pod sugars, pod proteins, pod phenols and pod tannins. Pod sugars and pod proteins content had a positive effect on the development of the bruchid. While, pod tannins and pod phenols exerted a negative effect. Thus, resistance to groundnut bruchid is a multifaceted mechanism governed by both physical and chemical characters of pods. •Physical and biochemical basis of resistance in groundnut against bruchid, Caryedon serratus (Olivier).•Varietal screening of groundnut pods against bruchid.•Resistance to groundnut bruchid is a governed by both physical and chemical characters of pods.•Pod sugars and pod protein content had a positive effect on the development of the bruchid.•Pod tannins and pod phenols exerted a negative effect on the development and survival of the bruchid.