Biology and Host Preference of Pulse Beetle

摘要

Pulses are the ancient food crops with evidbnce of cultivation for over 800 years. They are biologically rich source of protein and essential minerals and complement well with cereal based diet because of high amount of lysine. Pulses belong to the sub family Fabaceae. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses. Pulse being a leguminous plant is an important agent for fixing atmosphere nitrogen through root nodules. The crop rotation with pulses help to restore depleted from the soil due tocontinuous cultivation of different crops. Besides this, the hay is useful for cattle as feed. However, production of pulses has remained virtually stagnant at about 12 million tonnes for nearly four decade. Only 13 per cent of the area under pulse i^ irrigated. This static condition is attributed to certain key factors such as fluctuation in area, yield, occurrence of pest, experience of drought and imbalance in the cropping pattern. India stands first in the production of pulses among the countries and more than one fifth (23.24) of the world pulses was produced in India in the year 1997-98. In India, the state Uttar Pradesh is first in food grain production, also ranks first in pulse production. The important pulse production states are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.