S. ONKARA NAIK AND SOMASEKHAR
Abstract
Identification of resistant source of groundnut against sucking insect pests, viz., leafhoppers and thrips was undertaken for two seasons, kharif and rabi-summer, at Regional Research Station and Agricultural College, Raichur, Karnataka. The results on the promising sources of resistant varieties, influence of morphological characters and biochemical constituents of the host plant on insect damage, oviposition rate and survivability of pests on different genotypes/ varieties under caged condition were recorded on a total of 136 groundnut entries comprising 60 genotypes and 76 released varieties. Field screening of 60 genotypes and 76 released varieties over two seasonâs revealed 16 genotypes and 7 varieties were resistant against the target pests. Among 76 released varieties screened for leafhopper reactions, 23 each under resistant and moderately resistant group, 17 varieties were moderately susceptible and nine varieties were susceptible. The highly susceptible group included four varieties. Out of 76 varieties screened for their reaction against thrips, 13 were found resistant, 35 were moderately resistant 12 each in moderately susceptible and susceptible category and five were highly susceptible. None the varieties were found to be seen immune to thrips damage.