Influence of Agronomic Hosts on the Susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctidae) to Genetically Modified (Bollgard�) and Conventional Cotton Plants

Abstract

Author(s): R. K. Nimbalkar*, S. S. Shinde** and N. R. Giri***

In present study bioassays conducted on Helicoverpa armigera neonates (F2). Pupae surviving from each host specific colony were maintained as previously described. Egg sheets were harvested daily and placed into plastic bags. Upon eclosion, 200 F2 Helicoverpa armigera 90 neonates were offered leaves (<5 cm) harvested from Bollgard® and conventional cotton plant terminals and held in petri dishes. Treatment was arranged in a randomized complete block design where d of larval eclosion constituted blocks. All Helicoverpa armigera developmental stages were maintained at 27 ± 2oC and 85 ± 5% relative humidity. Helicoverpa armigera larval mortality on Bollgard® and conventional cotton plants was compared among the different host specific colonies 96 hrs after exposure to cotton tissue. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was made by using IBM® SPSS, also means were separated according to Tukey’s Studentized Range Test.

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