Abstract

                                Two hundred and thirty nine sesame germplasm lines were screened to develop methodology and to identify resistance to the sesame pod bug, Elasmolomus sordidus under natural field condition during 1995 (Trial I) and a trial of 81 entries including seven resistant cultures of first trial, eight pre release cultures and 34 advanced breeding materials and eight multi location cultures were also screened for their reaction to SPB during Kharif 1996 (Trial II) at Agricultural Research Station, Virinjipuram. The screening was done based on the bug population and per cent pod damage. But the pod damage due to SPB was given more weightage than to bug population, since the damage to reproductive part is reflected more on yield. In the Trial I, of the 239 germplasm evaluated, only seven were grouped as resistant, while another 24 were classified as moderately resistant and the rest were susceptible. In the Trial II none of the entries including seven resistant and 24 moderately resistant lines of Trial I was categorised as either resistant or moderately resistant. In general absolute resistance source was not found in any of them.

Key words : Sesame, Elasmolomus sordidus, Germplasm, Screening, Resistance