Host-plant Morphological and Biochemical Determinants Affecting Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Susceptibility to the Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Abstract

The investigation was carried out to ascertain the effect of plant morphological and biochemical attributes for its susceptibility to the pod-borer, H. armigera. involving twelve chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, namely L 550, ICC 86111, IPC 2021-12, IPC 2021-16, IPC 2021-36, JAKI 9218, IPC 2021-30, ICC 8397, IPC 2021-15, JSC 37, T 39-1, and IPC 2020-51. Significant variation was observed among genotypes for both plant morphological and biochemical parameters contributing to pod borer resistance. Among the genotypes, IPC 2021-16 exhibited the highest trichome density (39.40/mm²) and trichome length (368.20 µm), whereas ICC 8397 recorded maximum pod wall thickness (0.44 mm), suggesting enhanced mechanical resistance. The genotype, L 550 showed the longest pods (19.60 mm) and maximum width (9.47 mm). Biochemical analysis revealed T 39-1 with the highest protein (28.86%) and phenol content (3.03 g/seed), whereas IPC 2021-16 exhibited the lowest sugar content (3.22 g/100 g seed), indicating less susceptibility to H. armigera. Correlation analysis observed a significant negative association of pod damage with trichome density (r = -0.825**) and trichome length (r = -0.802**), while positive association with pod length (r = 0.903**) and pod width (r = 0.858**). These findings emphasize the role of morphological and biochemical traits, particularly trichome characteristics and secondary metabolites, in imparting resistance to H. armigera and could guide the selection of resistant genotypes for future chickpea breeding programs.