Biochemical Components Conferring Resistance to Pigeonpea Genotypes against Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) under Semitropical Storage Conditions

Abstract

Background: Pigeonpea, [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is one of the most common tropical and subtropical pulse crops belonging to the family Leguminosae. Bruchids, Callosobruchus chinensis is one of the most important storage pest of pulses in Asia and Africa. The present research focuses mainly on the possibilities of exploring biochemical sources of resistance to bruchids in cultivated and wild relatives’ of pigeonpea. This is an alternative method to reduce the use of insecticides and could be used in breeding programs to develop integrated pest management strategies for controlling bruchids. Methods: Various cultivars of pigeonpea and there wild relatives were studied under laboratory conditions for biochemical resistance to C. chinensis at ICRISAT, Hyderabad during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The maintained culture of pulse beetle, were used for various bioassay techniques. Result: The results revealed that seeds of wild species C. platycarpus ICPW 68 recorded lowest seed damage by C. chinensis (4.33% and 18.9%) as compared to ICPL 161 (59.78% and 74.40%) both under single and multi-choice tests, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between anti-nutritional factors and seed damage.