OVIPOSITIONAL RESPONSE OF PODFLY (MELANAGROMYZA-OBTUSA) ON RESISTANT PIGEONPEA (CAJANUS-CAJAN) SELECTIONS

An experiment was conducted during rainy seasons (kharif) of 1987-88, 1988-89 and 1989-90 to study the mechanism of redgram podfly (Melanagr omyza obtusa Malloch) in 25 pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] sel ections differing in resistance and susceptibility. Resistant selectio ns 'SL 12-2', 'SL42-3', 'ICP 7946', 'ICP 7151', 'GP 3-3' and 'ICP 8102 ' showed consistently low (11-14%) grain damage by podfly compared wit h susceptible selections 'CODE 3', 'ICP 7050', 'D 3' and 'JM 2412' (27 -33% grain damage). The oviposition (%) and relative resistance (%) ra tings of podfly were positively correlated. Thus low grain damage in t he pigeonpea selections considered resistant to podfly is mainly due t o low preference for oviposition by the podfly.