Karrem, A and Haveri, R V and Yogendra, K and Prabhuraj, A and Hanchinal, S and Kalyan, A and Mishra, S P and Laxuman, C and Jaba, J (2025) Understanding resistance mechanisms in crop wild relatives (CWRs) of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. pp. 1-21. ISSN 0925-9864
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Abstract
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is a highly destructive pest of leguminous crops, particularly pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.). This crop suffers significant damage from H. armigera, with estimated yield losses ranging from 30 to 40% annually. Despite extensive screening of elite pigeonpea accessions from the primary gene pool for resistance, no stable and true resistant or tolerant accessions have been identified. In this study, we screened 96 pigeonpea accessions from diverse gene pools for resistance to H. armigera using larval (first and third instar larvae) antibiosis during Rainy-2022. Based on k-means clustering, 50% of these accessions were selected for further evaluation in Rainy-2023 under field and laboratory conditions. Notably, accessions of Cajanus scarabaeoides from the secondary gene pool—specifically ICP 15716, ICP 15718, and ICP 15726—exhibited the lowest pod damage ratings (3.0–3.6), lower per cent larval survival (26–46%), and reduced per cent larval weight gain (27.0–35.18%) over two seasons. In addition, Rhynchosia suaveolens (ICP 15867) from the quaternary gene pool also exhibited minimal damage rating and low larval weight gain. The correlation of pod damage and oviposition with pod trichome density, pod length and pod width revealed that these morphological traits are key factors in conferring resistance against H. armigera. The Multi-trait Genotype Ideotype Index (MGIDI) identified seven superior accessions of C. scarabaeoides—ICP 15718, ICP 15716, ICP 15726, ICP 15730, ICP 15744, ICP 15732, and ICP 15703—as optimal candidate accessions for future breeding programs. This study highlights the critical role of host plant resistance in developing resilient pigeonpea cultivars resistant to H. armigera and emphasizing the potential of utilizing wild relatives in crop improvement strategies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Antibiosis, Antixenosis, Cajanus cajan, Crop wild relatives, Helicoverpa armigera, Host plant resistance |
| Subjects: | Mandate crops > Pigeonpea Others > Entomology |
| Depositing User: | Mr Nagaraju T |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2025 08:42 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2025 08:42 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13213 |
| Official URL: | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10722-0... |
| Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Acknowledgement: | The authors gratefully acknowledge and are thankful to the Rajendra Singh Paroda Genebank at ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, for providing seeds of the pigeonpea wild relatives. We extend our sincere thanks to Rajendra Kumar Badbadwal, Venkata Ramana, and Rajendra Prasad for their diligent maintenance of the H. armigera lab culture and their ongoing field assistance and support. Special thanks to Dr. Trevor Volp from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia, for his invaluable suggestions in preparing the final draft. Graphical Abstract was generated using bioRender software (https://www.biorender.com/). |
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