Wild relatives of pigeonpea as a source of resistance to the pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch) and pod wasp (Tanaostigmodes cajaninae La Salle)

Abstract

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important legume crop in South Asia, East and southern Africa, and the Caribbean. Pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch) and pod wasp (Tanaostigmodes cajaninae La Salle) are important constraints to increase the production and productivity of pigeonpea under subsistence farming conditions. Host plant-resistance can be used as an important component for the management of these pests, and therefore, we evaluated 28 accessions of wild relatives of pigeonpea for resistance to these pests. There were significant inter- and intra-species differences in the relative susceptibility to pod fly and pod wasp damage. Accessions belonging to Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars, C. sericeus (Benth. ex Bak.) van der Maesen, Rhynchosia bracteata Benth. ex Bak., C. acutifolius (F.v. Muell.) van der Maesen, C. lineatus (W. & A.) van der Maesen, and C. albicans (W. & A.) van der Maesen showed resistance to pod fly damage, while those from C. platycarpus (Benth.) van der Maesen, C. cajanifolius (Haines) van der Maesen and R. aurea DC. were susceptible. For the pod wasp, some of the accessions from C. scarabaeoides, C. albicans, Flemingia stricta Roxb., and R. bracteata (Roxb.) Wight showed a resistant reaction, while ICPW 83 belonging to C. scarabaeoides showed a susceptible reaction. ICPW 141, ICPW 278, and ICPW 280 (C. scarabaeoides), ICPW 214 (R. bracteata), ICPW 14 (C. albicans), and ICPW 202 (F. stricta) showed resistance to both pod fly and pod wasp damage. There was considerable variation in accessions belonging to different species for their susceptibility to pod fly and pod wasp, which can be exploited to breed for resistance to these pests. There was a negative association between pod wasp and pod borer damage, and therefore, it is important to keep track of the relative susceptibility of pigeonpea genotypes to pod wasp, while breeding for resistance to pod borers.