Screening of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for resistance to gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) in north west alluvial plain of Bihar

A field experiment on screening of chickpea genotypes was evaluated for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera during rabi 2023–24 at the Agricultural Research Farm, RPCAU, Pusa. A total of fifteen genotypes, including the susceptible check P-3043, were evaluated for larval incidence during vegetative, 50 % flowering and 50 % maturity stages, pod damage and yield performance. The study found significant variation in larval populations of the gram pod borer during these stages. The larval incidence was lowest during the vegetative stage, ranging from 0.47 to 1.27 larvae plant-1, medium to high in the flowering stage (0.73 to 2.20 larvae plant-1) and peaked during 50 % maturity stage (1.87 to 3.67 larvae plant-1). Among all the screened genotypes, BG 4051 had the lowest overall mean larval population (1.02 larvae plant-1), while P-3043 had the highest overall mean larval population (2.38 larvae plant-1). The range of pod damage was from 15.04 % (BG 4051) to 27.40 % (P-3043), demonstrating the role of morphological features like trichomes and pod wall thickness in imparting resistance. Grain yield ranged from 803.1 to 1138.7 kg ha-1, with BG 4051 (1138.7 kg ha-1), KCK-2 (1118.7 kg ha-1) and HK 21–13 (1048.9 kg ha-1) generating better yields. Based on the pest resistance susceptibility rating scale, eight genotypes were classified as moderately resistant, five as intermediate and two as susceptible. The findings indicated that the presence of promising sources of resistance, with BG-4051, KCK-2 and HK 21–13, warrants further screening for use in breeding programs and they can be recommended for multilocation testing and subsequently variety release. These resistant genotypes can be integrated into host plant resistance-based IPM strategies, thereby reducing dependence on chemical insecticides in chickpea cultivation.