INFESTATION OF Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) ON SOYBEAN CULTIVARS IN POTHWAR REGION AND RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICO-MORPHIC CHARACTERS

In the present study, the infestation of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) was evaluated on five soybean cultivars in Pothwar region of Pakistan. The data regarding egg population revealed that Desi cultivar had the maximum number of eggs (0.32/leaf) while the minimum number of eggs (0.11/leaf) was recorded on NARC-2 and was found comparatively resistant. The rest of the cultivars (Ajmeri, Rawal and William-82) were found statistically similar with each other having 0.14, 0.15 and 0.14 eggs per leaf respectively. The larval population of H. armigera on five soybean cultivars showed significant variations. The minimum larval population (0.16 larvae/leaf) was observed on NARC-2 while it was the maximum on Desi with 0.35 larvae per leaf. The larval population on the remaining cultivars Ajmeri, Rawal and William-82 was found significantly similar with each other with an average of 0.21, 0.23 and 0.22 larvae per leaf respectively. Similarly, pod infestation of H. armigera on five soybean cultivars was also found statistically variable. The minimum pod infestation was recorded on NARC-2 (10.47%) while Desi cultivar showed the maximum infestation of 20.75%. The infestation on Ajmeri and Rawal cultivars found statistically similar each other showing 16.31 and 15.82% infestations respectively. Maximum yield was obtained for NARC-2 while the lowest yield was observed for Desi cultivar. The physico-morphic characters were found to be the maximum on NARC-2. As NARC-2 was found comparatively resistant cultivar and suffered less damage by H. armigera and recommended for cultivation in the Pothwar region.