Paper Title
Screening of Selected Genotypes of Safflower Against Acanthiophilus Helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) Based on Infestation And Yield

Abstract
Safflower (Cartamous tinctorious L.) is one of the most traditional oilseed crops and extensively cultivated in Asian countries. Thriving production of safflower is affected by several factors, one of them is insect pests. Safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi (Rossi) is a key pest of safflower which causes substantial yield losses in every season. Using the resistant genotypes is one of the most conventional methods which reduce insect pest population and it has been used as part of integrated pest management in safflower crop. Thus, the present research was objected to evaluate resistant genotypes against A. helianthi. As results, safflower varieties displayed significant variations from comparative susceptibility to comparative resistance. On the basis of results; seasonal larval and pupal mean population, infestation, and damage (%) caused by A. helianthi, Pl-280-716 and Pl-242-418 were found relatively susceptible; Thori-78 showed intermediate resistant, however, Pl-405-992 and Pl-369-848 were comparatively resistant at (P<0.05), respectively. Furthermore, significantly peak population of A. helianthi on over varieties was documented in the last two weeks of March at (P<0.01). In addition, the strong positive correlation between population density, dead hearts, damage percentage, and abiotic factors was recorded in susceptible Pl-280-716 and Pl-242-418, and negative correlation with resistant Pl-405-992 and Pl-369-848 cultivars, respectively. Conversely resistant varieties viz. Pl-369-848 and Pl-405-992 showed lesser damage and significantly higher yield at (P<0.05, P<0.01), henceforth are suggested for cultivation in order to reduce damage of A. helianthi. Keywords - Cartamous tinctorious, Acanthiophilus helianthi, Varietal resistant, Susceptibility Infestation and Yield.