Population Growth Parameters of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) on Various Legume Seeds Reveal Potential Tolerance Traits

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a key polyphagous pest with global spread that causes economic damage to agricultural crops. It is commonly managed by synthetic insecticides, which can cause negative impacts on the environment and human health, as well as toxicity to natural enemies. Hence, investigations into alternative pest management approaches such as the use of resistant host plant cultivars against H. armigera is important. In this study, the effects of various legume seeds based on meridic diets were evaluated using biology and population growth parameters of H. armigera under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that the shortest developmental time and pupal incubation periods occurred on white kidney bean Dehghan, while the longest periods occurred on broad bean Mahta. The intrinsic rate of population increase (r) was highest when H. armigera was reared on white kidney bean Dehghan and cowpea Arabi, and the lowest when reared on broad bean Mahta and common bean Khomein. Furthermore, the highest net reproductive rate (R0) occurred on white kidney bean Dehghan and the lowest on common bean Khomein. Cluster analysis revealed that white kidney bean Dehghan and cowpea Arabi were the most susceptible hosts, while common bean Khomein, and broad beans Feyz and Mahta were the poorest and perhaps least susceptible hosts for population growth of H. armigera. Our results suggest that the selective use of certain bean cultivars as potential sources of antibiosis against this pest may be useful as part of an integrated management program.