Screening of castor genotypes against major insect-pests in South-West Haryana

Abstract

Twelve castor genotypes were screened against major insect-pests of castor viz. leafhopper, Edwardsiana flavescens; castor shoot and capsule borer, Dichocrocis punctiferalis; castor semilooper, Acanthodelta janata and tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura. The screening was done under field conditions during 2018-19 at CCS HAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal (Haryana). The levels of infestation of the four major insect-pests varied from genotype to genotype. The genotype Maharaja 9 exhibited minimum incidence of all the four major insect-pests as well as maximum yield (30.62 q/ha). The maximum incidence of E. flavescens was recorded in genotype DCH 177 (9.04 nymphs/3 leaves/ plant). The genotype SHB 974 suffered maximum mean damage by D. punctiferalis (14.23 % infested capsules), A. janata (4.01 larvae/plant) and S. litura (3.45 larvae/plant) during the crop period. The minimum yield was noticed in the genotype SLCH 158.