Influence of morphological traits on resistance of groundnut genotypes for thrips

The field experiments were conducted with 69 groundnut genotypes in a randomized block design during kharif, 2011 and 2012 with three dates of sowing to identify resistant entries for thrips in groundnut at Sri Venkateswara S. V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh A.P. The studies revealed that the entries viz., IVK-I-2007-I-16, K-1814, K-1789, K-9, K-1811, TCGS-1114, TCGS-1137, TCGS-1218, TCGS-1274, TCGS-1043, ICGV-07045, ICGV-06039, ICGV-07045, ICGV-00351, ICGV-07234, ICGV-87846, ISK-I-2011-16 and ISK-I-2011-14 have shown resistance to thrips and also recorded higher pod yield in all the three dates of sowing during both kharif, 2011 and 2012. The resistance to thrips in these genotypes might be due to high leaf and stem trichomes, more leaf thickness and dark green foliage. Genotypes viz., K-9, K-1789. ISK-I-2011-16, ISK-I-2011-14, TCGS-1218 and TCGS-1043; some of the genotypes  had the characteristic features of wavy margin leaves and downward folding of the leaves, which contribute to the restriction of thrips movement. These genotypes might be used as source of resistance to thrips in groundnut breeding programme.   Key words: Morphological, genotypes, yield, thrips, groundnut.