Morpho-Biochemical Parameters Associated with Resistance to Pod Borer Complex of Pigeonpea

ABSTRACT host plant resistance is an important component for minimizing the losses due to the pod borer, helicoverpa armigera and other pod borer complex. Among pod borer, which is the most devastating pest of pigeonpea. An understanding of different morphological and biochemical components of resistance is essential for developing strategies to breed for resistance to insect pests. morphological and biochemical components associated with expression of resistance to pod borer complex in Pigeonpea hybrids and cultivars to identify accessions with a diverse combination of characteristics associated with resistance to this pest. Among the genotypes ICPh 3461, ICPh 3762, BSMR 853, ICPL 332 WR, ICPh 2740, ENT 11 showed least preference for pod borer complex as compared to susceptible check ICPL 87. In context to morphological factors pod wall thickness, trichome density of type C and D on calyx and pod with correlation coefficient (r) (-0.508*), (-0.717**,-0.748**), (-0.810**,-0.749**) exhibited a strong negative association with percent pod damage by pod borer complex. Among the biochemical factors protein, sugar content in pigeonpea seeds exhibited significant positive correlation with correlation coffecient (r) being (0.710**, 0.843**), respectively with percent pod damage by pod borer complex. Whereas, total phenols, tannins, total flavonoids present in seeds showed significant negative correlation with correlation coffecient (r) being (-0.729**, - 0.650**,-0.783**), respectively with percent pod damage by pod borer complex. Thus genotypes with maximum pod wall thickness, high non glandular trichome density and high phenol, tannins, flavonoids content in pigeonpea genotypes showed tolerance to pod borer complex.