Studies on Insect Pest Complex and Management of Stem Borer Chilo Partellus (Swinhoe) Through Biopesticides & Insecticides in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

Investigation on “Studies on Insect Pest Complex and management of Maize stem borer, Chilo partelllus (Swinhoe) through biopesticides & insecticides in Maize, Zea mays (L.)’’ was carried out at the crop research centre (CRC) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during kharif 2019. The pest complex on maize crop was studied total five insect species have been recorded viz., maize stem borer (Chilo partellus), maize shoot fly (Atherigona soccata ), pink stem borer (Sesamia inferens), maize cob borer (Helicoverpa armigera), corn aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) as the major insects pests on maize, among these the seasonal incidence of maize stem borer was started from first week of August and reached its peak during 4th week of September. The period of maximum stem borer percent infestation, leaf injury rating (LIR) and dead heart were 33.40%, 8.98% and 32.28% respectively was noticed during 3rd and 4th week of September of experimentation. The seasonal incidence of Atherigona soccata was started from 1st week of August and reached its peak during the 4th week of September. The efficacy of different treatment viz., Chloropyrifos 10% E.C 250 ml/L, Deltamethrin 2.8 E.C 250ml/ha, Lambda cyhalothrin 5 E.C 500ml/ha, Neem cake 100kg/ha, Beauveria bassiana 1-2 kg/ha, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 1 kg /ha, was also evaluated against naize stem borer. The Lambda cyhalothrin 5 E.C @was500ml/ha was superior also as compared to all the treatments in reducing the infestation of maize crop stem borer, Leaf injury rating, dead heart, stem tunnelling in maize crop. The highest grain yield (38.60kg/ha) and cost benefit ratio(1:5.45) was obtained in the treatment of Chloropyrifos 10 E.C @1.5 ml/ha followed by Lambda cyhalothrin 5 E.C @500ml/ha. However, The minimum yield (27.60 kg/ha) and cost benefit ratio (1:1.58) was obtained from the treatment Beauveria bassiana @1-2 kg/ha.