Response of Certain Sesame Cultivars to the Infestation of Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Under Field Condition and Two Irrigation Systems

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oil crop, which is mainly grown to obtain its seeds that are used for nutritional, medicinal, and industrial purposes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the population fluctuation of the Antigastra catalaunalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in flood and drip irrigation systems in sesame cultivars. The experiment was carried out in the farm of the New Valley Research Institute, El-Kharga City, New Valley, Egypt during two successive years, 2021 and 2022. The cultivated sesame varieties were Sohag 1, Shandaweel 3, Toshka 1 and Giza 32. The obtained results showed that the A. catalaunalis infestation started in the second week of August by 25.00 and 17.67 larvae/100 pods in the cultivars Sohag1 and Shandawil3 while in cultivars Toshka1 and Giza32 the infestation started in the first week of August by 15.33 and 5.00, larvae/100 pods respectively. On the other hand, the population increased gradually to reach the highest average number in the third week of September. Sesame cultivars differed significantly in their responses to infestations of A. catalaunalis. The highest level of infestation of A. catalaunalis was observed on Toshka1 while the lowest level of infestation of A. catalaunalis was observed on Giza32. Data also revealed the presence of highly significant differences between the population of A. catalaunalis and irrigation systems (flood and drip). The sesame cultivars are tolerant to insect pests and modern irrigation programs can play a role in reducing the damage caused by agricultural pests and reducing the use of pesticides.