Biochemical characters conferring resistance against pod borers in pigeonpea genotypes
Author(s): Mamta Bhagat, Dr. Vikas Singh, Chunni Kumari and Jharna Chaturvedani
Abstract: An investigation was undertaken to study the biochemical characteristics associated with resistance against pod borers in various 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 2021-22 and 2022-23, 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 early, mid-early, and medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes showed a strong and negative relationship (r = -0.852, r = -0.985, r = -0.832 respectively) 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 early, mid-early, and medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes exhibited significant positive associations (protein content: r = 0.920, r = 0.953, r = 0.914; total soluble sugar: r = 0.933, r = 0.974, r = 0.980; reducing sugar: r = 0.845, r = 0.958, r = 0.913) with the percentage of pod damage caused by pod borers. This suggests that higher levels of protein and sugars in the pods may actually attract pod borers or contribute to increased susceptibility to their damage.
