Free choice test was concluded at room condition in three replicates by accurately weighing ten healthy seeds of each variety. They were kept equidistant from each other on the periphery of big circular trough. The top of the trough was covered with muslin cloth, held in position by rubber bands. Ten pairs of freshly emerged beetles (within 24 hours of age) were through released centrally into each through the opening made in the centre of muslin cloth cover. The beetles were removed 24 hours after their release and different observation were recorded in each treatment. Out of the 10 varieties tested. The result indicated that the preference of C. maculatus number of beetles oriented on the seed, number of eggs per seed, seed damage, loss in seed weight was found to be highest in the seeds of variety VGG-29 & UPM – 97 – 34 (100%) and it decreased in the following manner –TM – 98 – 37 (90%) > RMG – 502 (80%), Phule – M – 9338 (80%) UBGG – 52 (80%) KM – 2170 (70%), Knargone – 1 (70%) GAUM – 9801 (60%) and AKM – 1505 (60%). No variety was found to be free from C. maculatus infestation. These observations thus confirmed the variety AKM – 1505 to be least susceptible and varieties UPM – 97 – 34 and UGG – 29 to be highly susceptible to the pest. Further larger and heavier seeds with smooth surface were highly preferred by the pest as they provided more surface area for oviposition and enough food and space for the development of the grubs.
