Resistance of different stored wheat varieties to Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium (Everest) and lesser grain borer, Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricus)

Abstract

In present study, twelve varieties of wheat viz., Sarsabz, AZS-4, Zardana, Yekora, Soghat, Sonalika, TJ-0787 Pak-70, Tandojam-83, Mehran-89, Abadgar and Anmol were tested for their resistance to Trogoderma granarium (Everst) and Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricus) separately. The population growth, percent weight loss and percent grain damage in each variety were taken as criteria for measuring relative resistance of the varieties against these insects. The grain moisture content was correlated to different parameters; also population growth was correlated to percent weight loss and grain damage. Population build up in both insect treatments was observed to be the lowest in variety Mehran-89, whereas the highest population was recorded in the variety, TJ-0787. On the basis of percent grain weight loss, the most resistant variety to both insect species was found to be the Mehran-89, while the least resistant varieties recorded were, TJ-0787 and Sarsabz against T. granarium and R. dominica, respectively. The remaining varieties were considered as moderately resistant and susceptible. The moisture content played a significant (p<0.01) role in population growth, percent weight loss and percent grain damage. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.