Biochemical basis of resistance in sesame against leaf webber and capsule borer, Antigastra catalaunalis Dupounchel (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

During kharif 2016, sixty sesame genotypes were field screened against Antigastra catalaunalis Dup. at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V. C. Farm, Mandya. Based on per cent leaf, flower and pod damage, the genotypes were categorised as HR (Highly resistant), R (Resistant), MR (Moderately Resistant), S (Susceptible) and HS (Highly Susceptible). The biochemical constituents viz., total sugars, reducing sugars, total phenols, crude protein and total free amino acids was estimated in leaves and pods of selected genotypes and data was correlated with per cent damage. The studies revealed that, higher amount of total phenols in leaves and pods showed a significant negative correlation with per cent leaf (r = -0.94) and pod damage (r = -0.94) caused by A. catalaunalis. While, total sugars (r = 0.89, 0.96), reducing sugars (r = 0.92, 0.90), amino acids (r = 0.88, 0.89) and crude proteins (r = 0.95, 0.91) showed a significant positive relationship with per cent leaf and pod damage.