Resistant evaluation of chickpea genotypes against chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera in field

Chickpea pod borer (CPB), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important pest on chickpea (Cicer arietinum), which causes substantial yield losses. This study was carried out to screen resistance of 40 chickpea accessions against CPB in a field trial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in Eslamabad-e Gharb. Plant infestation with this pest was done at the podding stage. In this experiment several traits including pod borer’s population, percentage of pod damage and grain yield were measured. The results indicated that genotypes responded differently to CPB. Also, the yield of all lines in infestation condition decreased, but there was a significant difference between the lines. FL IP99-48C demonstrated to be the most susceptible with the least yield. FL IP07-40C (that is Kabuli type) and Pirouz (that is a Desi genotype) recorded as the most resistant genotypes in terms of reducing the CPB population and the highest yield that can be used in breeding programs in the future.