Author(s): Mukesh Kumar Patel, Vikas Singh, Mayuri Sahu, Adikant Pradhan, Silvi Yadav and Arvind Ayam

Abstract: An investigation was undertaken to study the biochemical and morphological characteristics associated with resistance against pod borers in pigeonpea genotypes. The research was carried out at the Research cum Instructional farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. Additionally, laboratory studies were conducted at the Biochemical Laboratory, Department of Entomology, IGKV, Raipur. The results of the investigation revealed significant correlations between biochemical characteristics of pigeonpea pods and the extent of damage caused by pod borers. Total phenol content in the pods of medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes showed a strong and negative relationship (r = -0.797) with the percentage of pod damage caused by pod borers. This indicates that higher levels of total phenols in the pods are associated with lower levels of pod damage, suggesting a potential role of phenolic compounds in conferring resistance against pod borers. On the other hand, protein content, total soluble sugar content, and reducing sugar content in the pods of medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes exhibited significant positive associations (protein content: r = 0.927, total soluble sugar: r = 0.957, reducing sugar: r = 0.914) with the percentage of pod damage caused by pod borers. and in case of morphological characters Pod wall thickness of medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes showed a strong and negative relationship (r = -0.873) with the percentage pod damage caused by pod borers. This indicates that higher pod wall thickness is associated with lower levels of pod damage, suggesting a potential role of resistance against pod borers. On the other hand, plant height, pod breadth and days to maturity have non-significant and positively correlated which do not favor the percent damage by pod borers and Pod length, no. of seed per pods of medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes have negatively non-significant relationship which favors the damage done by pod borers.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i6b.1274