The influence of developmental characteristics of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), on assessing resistance among chickpea genotypes

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), is one of the most destructive insect pests of stored chickpea grains. The present studyevaluated the effect of developmental characteristics of C. chinensis on 15 chickpea genotypes under controlled laboratory conditions to identify resistance or susceptibility levels. Significant variation was observed among genotypes with respect to oviposition, development, adult emergence and grain weight loss. The highest number of eggs was recorded on Phule vishwaraj (142.00 eggs/20 g) and the lowest on NBeG-49 (20.33 eggs/20 g). Grain weight loss ranged from 70.92 % on Vijay to 20.33 % on JG-11. Adult emergence percentage was maximum on NBeG-119 (83.33 %) and minimum on NBeG-49 (53.33 %). The developmental period varied from 25.67 days on Krupa to 35.33 days on Vijay. The growth index ranged between 1.51 on NBeG-49 and 3.17 on NBeG-119. Based on growth index and adult emergence, Digvijay, Vishal, Vijay, NBeG-49, NBeG-3 and PDKV Kanchan were classified as less susceptible or moderately resistant, while Phule vishwaraj and NBeG -119 were categorised as highly susceptible. These findings highlight the importance of genotype-based resistance in chickpea, which can be exploited in breeding programmes to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against C. chinensis.