A resistance screening study was conducted under field conditions at National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban from 2013 to 2015 to identify the sources of resistance in pigeonpea to the spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata and gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera. Based on the pest susceptibility index, entries were categorized in to various resistant categories. Among the 145 nos. of entries screened, nine entries i.e., ICP 11007, H 23, BAHAR, DA 322, GR 28, ICP 49114, ICP 11957, SMR 1693158, BRG–10–02 were promising by exhibiting stable resistant reaction to M. vitrata. Seventeen entries showed resistance consistently to H. armigera during all the three years. In case of M. vitrata, minimum pest susceptibility index (PSI) of 2.0 was noted in ICP 11957 followed by 2.3 in SMR 1693158 and 2.7 in BRG-10-02, Bahar and H 23. For H. armigera, less PSI was noted in CORG 9900134, H 23, JKE 110, GR 28, WRG 42, ICP 11957 and ICPL 8719 (2.3). The PSI of 2.7 was recorded in the entries, ICP 10175 and RVKT 261. Less pest susceptibility index in an entry indicates high resistance levels and hence, the above entries with less pest susceptibility indexes may be used as resistant donors in the breeding programme. Pigeonpea entries found to be resistant to both the pod borers were ICP 11007, H 23, DA 322, GR 28, ICP 49114, ICP 11957 and BRG-10-02.

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