Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Field pea is one of the important pulse crops which play a key role in human and animal nutrition as well as soil fertility in cropping systems. Insect pests are among the main biotic production constraints causing a considerable amount of losses worldwide. Like any other pulse crops, insect management of field pea pests mainly depends on the use of chemical insecticides. For sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management methods, it is crucial to understand plant-insect interactions such as how the plant defends against insect herbivore attack in ecological context. IPM strategy for field pea insect pests offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management options. In this introductory paper, I have presented plant volatiles and mechanisms of host plant resistance, and their potential as a component of development of IPM strategy for major insect herbivores of field pea.