The development and standardization of an effective inoculation technique are essential for reliable screening of crop genotypes. In this study, three inoculation methods—in vitro paper towel, in vitro agar, and soil inoculation in pots—were tested to evaluate the pathogenic potential of Macrophomina phaseolina, the causative agent of dry root rot (DRR). Since the pathogenicity of M. phaseolina is influenced by environmental factors, identifying a robust inoculation method is critical. Among the three techniques, the paper towel inoculation method resulted in the highest seedling mortality of 66.66% in cluster beans and 86.67% in cowpeas within just ten days, demonstrating its effectiveness. The agar inoculation technique, while successful, required 15 days to confirm pathogenicity, with seedling mortality rates of 63.33% for cowpeas and 53.33% for cluster beans. In contrast, the soil inoculation method showed comparatively lower mortality rates, with 36.66% for cluster beans and 26.67% for cowpeas. Based on these findings, the paper towel method emerged as the most efficient technique for inducing rapid pathogenicity in M. phaseolina in both cowpeas and cluster beans. Its suitability was further validated through the screening of released varieties of these crops compared against the soil inoculation method. Notably, genotypes that appeared moderately resistant under the soil inoculation method were found to range from susceptible to highly susceptible when evaluated using the paper towel technique. These results underscore the reliability of the paper towel method as a rapid and robust screening tool for identifying resistant genotypes of cowpea and cluster bean on a larger scale.

Mungbean varieties/genotypes viz., GM-06-08, GM-4, GM-08-01, GM-05-08, GM-04-02, GM-08-09, KM-10-1038, WGG-37, KM-10-1040, COGG-912, KM-10-1039, ML-1256, ML-1268, KM-10-1037 and K-851 were evaluated for their susceptibility to Callosobruchus maculatus. Among these ML-1268 suffered maximum apparent (12.70% and 47.68%, respectively) and real loss in weight (25.40% and 51.72%, respectively) after one generation and after four months of storage. Whereas, minimum apparent (3.09% and 34.52%, respectively) and real weight loss (7.00% and 38.72%, respectively) after one generation and after four months was observed in COGG-912. Comparative weight/volume ratio was highest in ML-1256 (1: 0.594) whereas, the least (1: 0.429) was observed in COGG-912. The % infested grains after four months, was significantly maximum (99.03%) in ML-1268 and minimum (83.20) in COGG-912. It was observed that seed width and seed weight had no correlation with oviposition. The genotypes ML-1268 was most preferred for the development of adult showing 9.60 emergence per ten eggs.

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture and organic farm, Centre for Natural Resources Management, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during rabi 2017–18 and 2018–19 to evaluate the population dynamics of the pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea. The eggs were observed from 49^th (first week of December) till 3^rd standard week (third week of January); and the larvae from 49^th standard week till crop harvesting i.e., 11^th standard week (second week of March). Correlation coefficients between egg population and minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and bright sunshine revealed a negative relationship, while evening relative humidity, rainfall, showed positive but non-significant effects; and a negative effect of maximum temperature and wind velocity was observed. As regards larvae, it was a positive one with maximum temperature, and negative with minimum temperature, evening relative humidity, wind velocity and rainfall. Significant positive correlation with bright sunshine and highly significant negative correlation with morning relative humidity were observed.

A field experiment was carried out on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cv. Gujarat Anand Okra-8 during kharif 2024 at the Centre of Vegetable Research, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, by adopting all standard horticultural practices. The objective was to evaluate the impact of different sowing dates on the infestation levels of the borer complex and to determine the most suitable sowing time. Among the five sowing dates tested, crops sown on 8^th and 15^th July recorded lower borer complex infestation, whereas higher incidences were observed in the crops sown on 29^th July and 5^th August. The highest fruit yield (92.32 q/ha) was obtained from the 8^th July sowing, which was at par with the 15^th July sowing (82.11 q/ha). The lowest yield (71.43 q/ha) corresponded with the highest pest infestation on 5^th August sowing, indicating that early to mid-July is the most suitable sowing window for minimizing pest incidence and maximizing yield.