Screening of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars for resistance against girdle beetle [Obereopsis brevis (Swederus)] and stem fly [Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner)]

Field trials were conducted during Kharif 2024 at the Entomological Research Farm, R.A.K. College of Agriculture, Sehore (M.P.) to evaluate nine soybean cultivars viz., JS 25-08, JS 25-03, JS 25-06, JS 24-33, NRC-150, NRC-268, NRC-269, NRC-152 and JS-335 (check) along with insecticides against girdle beetle (Oberea brevis Swederus) and stem fly (Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner). The RBD experiment with three replications assessed percent girdling and stem tunneling. The study generated data on resistance levels and pest incidence dynamics, useful for identifying promising cultivars and effective management strategies for sustainable soybean production. The study revealed significant differences among soybean cultivars in resistance to girdle beetle and stem fly infestation. NRC-268 consistently recorded the lowest infestation (15.01% girdling and 13.33% tunneling), followed by NRC-269 and JS 25-06, categorizing them as highly resistant. In contrast, JS 25-08 was the most susceptible, showing maximum girdling (44.60%) and tunneling (36.70%), followed by JS 24-33 and JS-335. The findings clearly indicate NRC-268 and NRC-269 as promising resistant cultivars for sustainable soybean cultivation, reducing pest damage and minimizing yield losses.