Diverse sources of resistance to Spodoptera litura (F.) in groundnut

Spodoptera litura an important insect pest of groundnut causes yield loss up to 71% in India. Though many effective chemicals are available to control Spodoptera, host plant resistance is the most desirable, economic and eco-friendly strategy. In the present study, groundnut mini core (184), recombinant inbred lines (318) and elite genotypes (44) were studied for their reaction to Spodoptera litura under hot spot location at Dharwad. Heritable component of variation existed for resistance to Spodoptera in groundnut mini core, recombinant inbred lines and elite genotypes indicating scope for selection of Spodoptera resistant genotypes. Only 29 (15%) genotypes belonging to hypogaea, fastigiata and hirsuta botanical varieties under mini core set, 15 transgressive segregants belonging to fastigiata botanical variety among 318 recombinant inbred lines and three genotypes belonging to hypogaea and fastigiata botanical varieties under elite genotypes showed resistance to Spodoptera litura with less than 10% leaf damage. Negative correlation existed between resistance to Spodoptera and days to 50 per cent flowering indicating late maturing nature of resistant genotypes. Eight resistant genotypes (ICG 862, ICG 928, ICG 76, ICG 2777, ICG 5016, ICG 12276, ICG 4412 and ICG 9905) under hypogaea botanical variety also had significantly higher pod yield. These diverse genotypes could serve as potential donors for incorporation of Spodoptera resistance in groundnut.