Field evaluation of sesame accessions for resistance to leaf roller and capsule borer (Antigastracatalaunalis Dup.)

One hundred and fifty sesame accessions, along with a susceptible check (TC-25) and a resistant check (SI-250), were screened under natural conditions during two consecutive seasons (2023 and 2024) to identify sources of resistance against the leaf roller and capsule borer (Antigastracatalaunalis) The accessions were categorized as highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), susceptible (S), and highly susceptible (HS) based on cumulative scores (0-9) and grades (1-9) assigned to each accession. In pooled analysis, leaf damage ranged from 0.0 to 33.75%, compared with 25.0% and 6.88% in the susceptible and resistant checks, respectively. Flower damage ranged from 0.0 to 23.18%, compared with 19.53% and 6.40% in the susceptible and resistant checks, respectively, while capsule damage ranged from 0.0 to 11.90%, compared with 11.44% and 1.63% in the susceptible and resistant checks, respectively. None of the accessions were found to be free from infestation by A. catalaunalis. Based on cumulative scoring, fourteen accessions viz., GRT-83103, RJS-148-1-80, IC-203987, KMS-4-251, NIC-17859, NIC-8425, NIC-8059-B, NIC-16403, NIC-78100, NIC-8573, IS-109,RJS-218, S0126, and TC-171 and seventeen accessions viz., S-0182, IS-10, IC-303439, ES-69, IC-205166, NIC-10621-B, IS-463902, NIC-8400, NIC-16370, NIC-16191, NIC-8474, NIC-16333, NIC-8544, KMS-4-302, G-1,IS-101-4, and SI-250 (resistant check) were rated as resistant. These accessions may serve as potential sources of resistance and can be utilized in breeding programmes for the development of resistant cultivars.