Integrated Approach for Screening Groundnut Genotypes and Unveiling Morphological and Biochemical Factors Associated with Resistance to Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood

Abstract

Thrips is an important sucking insect pest and are the major problem in the groundnut. The pressure from thrips is higher in the summer. One species of thrips i.e., Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood was reported in the present investigation. To minimize crop losses, it is important to efficiently manage thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood. Finding the source of resistance is one strategy to reduce yield losses. In the summers of 2020 and 2021, forty-four groundnut varieties were screened in the field to determine their resistance to thrips occurrence. Nineteen genotypes were chosen for additional research, including host preference and oviposition preference tests in greenhouse conditions and host plant resistance studies, based on preliminary screening studies conducted at the field level in 2020 and 2021. None of the genotypes were totally free from thrips damage. Nonetheless, three genotypes (Dh-256, RST-1-2020-12, and INS-1-2020-11) were classified as resistant. Ten genotypes were very vulnerable, 14 were susceptible, and 17 were somewhat resistant. The biochemical and morphological examination results showed that resistance against thrips was conferred by increased levels of phenols, tannins, trichome density, and leaf colour.