Abstract
Pigeonpea is an important pulse crop that has gained importance in semi-arid tropics, although its yield potential has not been fully realized due to biotic and abiotic stresses that limit its production. Insect pest complex of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), sucking bug (Clavigralla tomentosicollis) and pod fly (Melanagromyza cholcosoma) are the major limiting factors to its production causing up to 100% yield loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate resistant genotypes to insect pest complex in dry parts of North Rift Valley Kenya. The study was carried out in three sites (Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization- Marigat, Agricultural Training Centre-Koibatek and Fluorspar-Chepsirei) for one season during long rain of April-November 2014 growing season. Sixteen ICRISAT elite genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 75cm inter and 25 cm intra spacing. Significant (P≤0.05) differences in grain yield performance, incidence and severity of the insect pests were revealed in all sites. The damage was more severe in Marigat (Pod borer-37.2%, Sucking bug-39.3% and pod fly-5.9%) than ATC- Koibatek (Pod borer-1.9%, Sucking bug-8.4% and pod fly-5.9%) and Fluorspar (Pod borer-3.6%, Sucking bug-6.8% and pod fly-2.9%). Genotypes ICEAPs 00850R, 00902, 01541 and 1154-2 showed potential levels of resistance to the insect pest complex and high yields. Grain yield associated negatively (P≤0.05) with pod borer and sucking bug damage correlated non-significantly with pod fly damage. The potential genotypes identified in this study need to be further evaluated in two seasons and in other multi-locations to validate these findings to be used in breeding.
Highlights
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) is an important pulse crop of semi-arid tropics
Pod fly damage was high in Fluorspar
Genotypes responded differently to the insect pest complex depending on the sites
Summary
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) is an important pulse crop of semi-arid tropics. Many reasons account for the increased interest in the crop but the most important is its high nutritional value comprising of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it the best solutions to protein-calorie malnutrition in the developing world and a source of dietary protein mainly in vegetarian based diets [1] It grows well even on less fertile soil due to its ability of fixing about 40kg of nitrogen per season [2] to the soil and access bound phosphorus in the soil due to presence of piscidic acid exudates that solubilize phosphorus in the rhizosphere [3]. Insect pests are major constraint to pigeonpea production in the - semi-arid tropics [7] including East Africa [6] These pests include pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), pod sucking bugs (Clavigralla tomentosicollis) and pod fly (Melanagromyza chalcosoma). Chemical pesticides remain the primary means of pest management among farmers
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