Reaction of Sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn.) Mutant Generations against Webworm, Antigastra catalaunalis Duponchel

摘要

Sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn.) (Pedaliaceae) is an important oilseed crop grown in many countries. Among the insect pests infesting sesame, the webworm, Antigastra catalaunalis Duponchel (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera) is predominant throughout the crop period. For managing this insect, resistant sesame varieties with higher yield potential and better adaptability to varied locations are essentially needed. Keeping this in view and based on earlier work, three promising accessions viz., IVTS-2001-7, KMR-102 and TMV-3 were selected. To enhance resistance and/or yield traits, these three accessions in comparison with a susceptible check SVPR 1 were subjected to mutagenesis using gamma rays as physical mutagen; Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) and Diethyl Sulphate (DES) as chemical mutants. The first and generation mutants were evaluated under field conditions at Methikudi village, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, Southern India during May, 2012-September, 2014. Webworm infestation was evaluated based on leaf, flower and capsule damage. Among the first mutant (M1) and second mutant (M2) generations, plants of the accessions namely IVTS 2001-7 and TMV-3 were rated as resistant and plants of SVPR-1 were highly susceptible to A. catalaunalis.