Evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) against pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

Thirty eight early maturing and promising chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), genotypes were evaluated at CSK, HPKV, Regional Research Station, Dhaulakuan under early (Env I & III) and late sown (Env II & IV) conditions during the year 1997–98 and 1998–99 against pod borer (Helleoverpa armigera). It was observed that both environments I & II of year 1997–98 were favourable for pod borer infestation. Pod borer Infestation was more severe under late sown conditions as was evidenced by higher grand mean of 40.22 and 17.49% in Env. II and IV, respectively as compared to 35.29 and 11.06% in early sown crop i.e. in Env. I and III. Erect type genotype 405#4 was highly resistant In all the four environments, whereas genotypes ICCV 88102, ICCV 88202, ICCV 90201, ICCV 88506, ICCV 910257 II and 910257 III have shown resistance to pod borer in two or three environments. The earliest maturing genotype, ICCV 2 was highly resistant under early sown conditions and moderately resistant under late sown conditions.