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The ovipositional preference of C. maculatus on selected varieties of chickpea was studied under free choice condition. The minimum number of eggs was recorded on the varieties NBeG-49 (3.33) followed by NBeG-47 (5.00) were on par with each other. The maximum number of eggs was recorded on the varieties JG-11 (9.67) followed by NBeG-458 (11.00) and NBeG-399 (12.00) were on par with each other. The varieties Vihar (8.67) and NBeG-3 (8.00) were intermediate between minimum and maximum number of eggs. Results indicated that the varieties with differential reaction had influenced the oviposition preference of adult female beetle. The female beetle preferred the varieties which are creamy white in colour, tuberculated smooth surface and high chemical constituents of aminoacid, carbohydrate and proteins over the varieties with brown colour, rough surface and low chemical constituents of aminoacid, carbohydrate and proteins. The varieties NBeG-458, NBeG-399 and JG-11 were most preferred by the adult female beetle for oviposition.

Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus, Oviposition and Chickpea.