In different varieties of pigeonpea, seed surface, seed coat thickness and seed size have been linked with mechanism of resistance. The overall results indicated that different biological and life fecundity parameters of C. chinensis varied significantly when reared on different varieties of pigeonpea. The mean incubation period was 4.26 days on BSMR-853 followed by BDN-711 (4.35 days), BDN-708 (4.41 days) and BDN-716 (4.65 days). The significantly highest egg hatch was observed on BSMR-853 (96 per cent) followed by BDN-711 (93 per cent), BDN-708 (92 per cent) and BDN-716 (88 per cent). The significantly shortest larval-pupal duration was noticed on BSMR-853 (19.93 days) followed by BDN-711 (20.66 days), BDN-708 (21.84 days) and BDN-716 (22.20 days). Significantly highest growth index was noticed on BSMR-853 (2.75) followed by BDN-711 (2.70), BDN-708 (2.60) and shortest on BDN-716 (2.43). The significantly minimum total developmental period was observed on BSMR-853 (24.17 days) followed by BDN-711 (25.02 days), BDN-708 (26.26 days) and maximum on BDN-716 (26.81 days). Significantly highest adult emergence was observed in the case of those grubs which were reared on BSMR-853 (96.84 per cent) followed BDN-711 (95.73 per cent), BDN-708 (94.49 per cent) and lowest on BDN-716 (88.83 per cent). The significantly highest adult longevity was noticed on BSMR-853 (10.70 days) followed by BDN-711 (10.34 days), BDN-708 (9.69 days) and BDN-716 (9.68 days). Significantly lowest total life cycle duration was noticed on BSMR-853 (34.87 days) followed by BDN-711 (35.37 days), BDN-708 (35.95 days) and BDN-716 (36.47 days). The significantly highest oviposition period was observed on BSMR-853 (7.20 days) followed by BDN-711 (6.80 days), BDN-708 (6.00 days) and BDN-716 (5.60 days). The fecundity (eggs per female) was highest on BSMR-853 (88.20) followed by BDN-711 (82.60), BDN-708 (74.60) and BDN-716 (69.40). Hence, BDN-716 was the most resistant host for the development of C. chinensis as compared to BDN-711, BDN-708 and BSMR-853.

Pulse beetle, biology, pigeonpea, varieties, C. chinensis

The significantly higher incubation period (4.65 days) was observed when C. chinensis reared on BDN-716. The shortest incubation period (4.26 days) was noticed in BSMR-853 which was at par with BDN-708 (4.41 days). The highest egg hatchability observed in BSMR-853 (96 per cent) and lowest hatchability in BDN-716 (88 per cent). The significantly shorter larval-pupal duration of C. chinensis was found in BSMR-853 (19.93 days) whereas, higher larval-pupal duration (22.20 days) was recorded on BDN-716 and it was at par with larval-pupal duration observed in BDN-708 (21.84 days). The highest growth index (2.75) was recorded on pigeonpea variety BSMR-853 and it was at par with BDN-711 (2.70). The significantly lowest growth index (2.43) recorded in BDN-716. The significantly shorter developmental period (24.17 days) was found in BSMR-853. The longest developmental period (26.81 days) was observed in BDN-716 which was at par with BDN-708 (26.26 days). The significantly shorter life cycle duration (34.87 days) was reported on BSMR-853. The longer life cycle duration (36.49 days) was found in BDN-716 which was at par with BDN-708 (35.95 days). The highest adult emergence (96.84 per cent) was noticed in BSMR-853 however, it was at par with BDN-711 (95.73 per cent) and BDN-708 (94.49 per cent). The significantly lowest adult emergence (88.83 per cent) observed in BDN-716. The highest male beetle emergence was observed in BDN-708 (46.72 per cent) and incase of females it was highest in BSMR-853 (53.38 per cent). The highest adult longevity (10.70 days) observed on BSMR-853 and was at par with BDN-711 (10.34 days). The lowest longevity reported in BDN-716 (9.68 days) which was at par with BDN-708 (9.69 days). The maximum sex ratio of male: female was recorded on BSMR-853 (1: 1.21) followed by BDN-716 (1: 1.19), BDN-711 (1: 1.17) and minimum on BDN-708 (1: 1.02). The significantly longer oviposition period (7.20 days) was found on BSMR-853 and significantly lowest oviposition period (5.60 days) on BDN-716. The significantly highest fecundity (88.20 eggs) was noticed on BSMR-853 and significantly lowest fecundity (69.40 eggs) on BDN-716.

Patel Harsh, Pratap Nalwandikar, Gambhire Vishnukant and Zatale Nishant (2022). Biology of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. on different varieties of Pigeonpea. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 268-272.