Integrated Insights on Host Plant Resistance and Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Chickpea for Helicoverpa armigera Management

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), known as the “King of Pulses”, is a vital crop for food security, soil fertility enhancement, and nutrition in India, which contributes over 66% to global chickpea production. However, its productivity is severely threatened by the gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), which can cause yield losses of up to 80–90 per cent under favorable conditions. In India alone, this pest accounts for economic losses worth several thousand million rupees each year, underscoring its serious impact on farmer livelihoods. Conventional reliance on pesticides has created concerns of resistance, environmental pollution, and soil health degradation, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This review synthesizes information on pest biology, feeding behavior, and crop traits linked to resistance against Helicoverpa armigera. Host plant resistance, through features such as protective hairs on plants and natural defensive compounds, has shown potential in reducing pest damage. Additionally, Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) practices, including neem-based formulations and fermented botanical preparations, offer low-cost, eco-friendly solutions rooted in community practices. Integrating these approaches into broader Integrated Pest Management (IPM) frameworks provides a promising path forward, and future prospects lie in the development of resistant varieties through molecular breeding and the systematic validation of ITK practices, which together could reduce pesticide dependence, enhance chickpea productivity, and support sustainable farming systems.