Abstract
In the present investigation an attempt was made to determine the antibiosis of three salt stressed wheat varieties
(Shafaq, Inqlab-91 and Sehar-2006) at three salinity levels (8, 12 and 16 dS m-1) to red flour beetle, Tribolium
castaneum (Herbst). The grains of three varieties were ground and sieved through 80 mesh. Life history
parameters, i.e., larval and pupal durations and survivals, adult emergence, fecundity and egg hatching was
observed by introducing 10 pairs of pupae, from previously reared beetles, on three varieties at their respective
salt levels. One control was included with grains of the plants, which were irrigated with distilled water only.
Results have shown that varieties had significant difference among the treatments for larval duration, which was
significantly extended in different varieties at various salt levels. Mean longest larval duration (31.67 days) was
recorded in Shafaq as respectively 8 (33.00 days), 12 (33.33 days) and 16 (30.33 days) dS m-1 salt level as
compared to its control (31.00 days). Fecundity and egg hatching of T. castaneum differed among the wheat
varieties irrespective of salt levels. In another experiment, response of SARC-1, SARC-2, SARC-3, SARC-4,
SARC-5, SARC-6, SARC-7, SARC-8, LU-26S, to life history parameters of T. castaneum showed that significant
difference in the number of eggs, hatching percentage, larval and pupal survival was found. The number of eggs
was significantly lower in variety SARC 1 (126.00) followed by SARC 2 (128.75), SARC 3 (132.25) while was
significantly higher in SARC 5 (151.75). Egg hatching percentage was lower in SARC 6 (39.38%) and significantly
higher in SARC 5 (58.42%). Larval survival was significantly less in SARC 7 (36.99%) and more in SARC 1
(52.25%). Pupal survival was significantly lower in SARC 1 (20.54%) while higher in SARC 8 (42.11%). Based on
results it may be stated that salt stressed wheat varieties have significant impact of the biology of T. castaneum.
