JITENDRA SONKAR, JAYALAXMI GANGULI, R.N. GANGULI AND D.J.POPHALY

The infestation and losses in grain yield due to Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) were determined in four chickpea varieties viz. Vijay, Vaibhav, JG–74 and ICC–37 in normal and one month late sown crop during 2009–10. Mean larval population was found significantly higher (4.40 larvae / m. row length) late sown crop than normal sown crop (2.97 larvae/ m. row length). Among the varieties sown on normal date maximum larval population was found in ICC–37 (3.72 larvae/ m. row length) and minimum in Vijay (2.11 larvae/ m. row length) but in late sown crop maximum larval population was recorded in ICC–37 (4.94 larvae/ m. row length) and minimum in JG–74 (3.28 larvae/ m. row length). Overall mean pod damage was higher in late sown crop (27.15%) than normal sown (11.38%). Among varieties, maximum and minimum pod damage was observed in ICC–37 (14.27%) and JG–74 (11.71%) in normal sown crop, while in late sown crop it was observed in variety Vijay (34.74%) and ICC–37 (18.80%). Overall mean grain yield was higher in normal sown crop (1809.03 kg/ha) than late sown crop (1350.59 kg/ha). Overall varietal performance was better in 1st date sown crop with highest grain yield of 2055.55 kg/ha in JG–74 and lowest of 1597.23 kg/ha in ICC–37; where as in the late sown crop highest and lowest grain yield was recorded in JG–74 (1444.45 kg/h and Vijay (1250.00 kg/ha) respectively.