Screening of some chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties against Helicoverpa armigera under semi arid climatic conditions
Nine desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties viz., Balkasar-2000, Bhakhar-2011, Bittal-98, Brc-61, Brc-390, Punjab-2000, Punjab-2008, Thall-2006 and 03009 were sown at experimental area of Islamia University of Bahawalpur in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications each during 2014-2015. 03009 had highest mean larval population of Helicoverpa armigera followed by Bittal-98, Thall-2006 and Bhakhar-2011. Punjab-2000, BRC-390 and BRC 61 exhibited moderate larval population. The least larval population was observed in Punjab-2008 and Balkasar-2000. Maximum per cent pod damage was observed in Bittal-98 (28.29) followed by 03009 (26.57), Bhakhar-2011 (25.47), Thall-2006 (24.27), Punjab-2000 (22.81), BRC-390 (21.70), BRC-61 (20.53), Balkasar-2000 (18.30) and Punjab-2008 (16.73). Highest yield of crop was observed in Punjab-2008 (516.35gplot-1) followed by Balkasar-2000 (483.38), BRC-61 (415.15), BRC-390 (380.03), Punjab-2000 (345.34), Bittal-98 (303.50), Bhakhar-2011 (298.43), Thall-2006 (293.55) and 03009 (209.99) g/plot. It was also observed that larval population of H. armigera increased or decreased with weather factors. Thus varieties showing more pest population yielded less and those with less pest population generated more yield of chickpea. These results can be employed for integrated pest management of H. armigera on chickpea in different semi arid climatic conditions.