Management of Chickpea podborer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) using HPR: A Review

Abstract

Legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner is the most important pest on wide variety of food, fibre, oilseed, fodder and horticultural crops. Enormous amount of loss has been reported in different crops worldwide. Apart from being highly polyphagous, H. armigera is widely adapted to feeding on various plant parts. However, damage to the reproductive parts particularly to flowers and developing seeds results in direct loss. Hence, the level of H. armigera infestation during the flowering and fruiting phase is widely used as the basis for assessment of loss, and to quantify the genotypic resistance to this insect. Varieties of chickpea showing varying degrees of resistance to H. armigera have been developed in India and some of these varieties have been used successfully by the farmers. Screening of more than 14800 germplasm accessions under natural infestation has resulted in the identification of 21 donors showing antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance mechanism of resistance, and these sources can be used in breeding programmes. A high per cent of crude fibre and non reducing sugars and low per cent of starch have been found to be related with low incidence. Recent reports on significant variation in H. armigera gut proteinase inhibitors among chickpea genotypes escape insect attack or suffer less damage as compared to other genotypes because of phenological asynchrony. Deployment of H. armigera-resistant cultivars should be aimed at conservation of the natural enemies and minimizing the number of pesticide applications. Host plant resistance is compatible with other methods of insect control, exercises a constant and cumulative effect on insect populations over time and space, as no adverse effects on the environment, reduces the need to use pesticides, and involves no extra cost to the farmers.