Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as Fall Armyworm (FAW), is amongst the most terrifying pests of maize in Latin America, which unexpectedly appeared in Nepal in 2019 and spread expeditiously. Estimates of maize crop losses due to this pest are vital in order to compare the effect of these losses with the convenient of controlling FAW and suggest pertinent controlling technology and methods. Nepal is predominantly an agrarian nation thus, maize is grown substantially. However, climatic conditions of Nepal favor the outbreaks of pests such as FAW in many maize grown areas. On the grounds that most of the people of hill and mountainous regions depend on maize for their staple food, pests have appeared to be a great threat to cereal production. It causes considerable injuries to maize by feeding on leaf whorls, ears and tassel which often leads to total yield loss. Yet, agriculture is an economic activity, even among subsistence farmers in Nepal. Seeing high potential losses caused by FAW, different control methods have been proposed. This pest demands meticulous and stepwise plan for its management. This review emphasized on adoption of IPM methods of pests’ control, which is the integration of biological, cultural, physical, chemical, and technological approaches. Meanwhile, early warning systems, though poorly developed in Nepal, can be highlighted for further studies and for further research work.
A field experiment was carried out to find out the effect of different levels of nitrogen and mulching on growth and yield parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) var. VL443 at commercial tomato farm in Sandhikharkha, Arghakhanchi from February – June 2022. The eight treatments were laid out in two factorial RCBD with three replications. The treatment combinations were T1 (Non-mulching with 0 kgha-1), T2 (Non-mulching with 50 kgha-1), T3 (Non- mulching with 100 kgha-1), T4 (Non-mulching with 150 kgha-1), T5 (Mulching with 0 kgha-1), T6 (Mulching with 50 kgha-1), T7 (Mulching with 100 kgha-1), and T8 (Mulching with 150 kgha-1). Growth parameters, yield, and yield attributing traits were recorded. The result indicated that the 150 kgha-1 dose of N application contributes to the higher plant height (178.13 cm), the number of leaves (47.83), fruit length (72.50 mm), fruit diameter (58.83 mm), Individual fruit weight (71.67 g) and yield (2.51 kg/ plant). Similarly, plastic mulch contributes significantly higher plant height (173.6 cm), the number of leaves (47.30), fruit length (68.84 mm), fruit diameter (54.20 mm), Individual fruit weight (72.52 g) and yield (2.53 kg/ plant) as compared to non-mulched condition. Furthermore, fruit yield per hectare in mulching with 150 kg-1 plot was significantly higher in comparison to non-mulching with 0 kgha-1 plot. So, the application of 150 kgha-1 nitrogen along with plastic mulching is recommended to increase the yield of tomatoes under the plastic tunnels in Arghakhanchi.
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest with a host range, native to North and South America. This pest was formally reported for the first in January 2016 in Africa and in May 2018 in India. On 9 May 2019, this pest was first noticed in Nawalpur Nepal. 20-35% losses have been reported in maize crops. Since the outbreak of this pest from Africa, entomologists are working for their strategic management. This review aims to compile the fall armyworm (FAW) management works carried in the world and discuss their relevancy in Nepalese context. Of the various practices, chemical pesticides are one of the most commonly used tools followed by habitat management and other cultural practices. Insect pheromones are used for pest monitoring, and thereby to improve pest management decisions. Trap cropping, cover cropping, intercropping, maintaining floral diversity are some examples of habitat pest manipulation. Push-pull strategy uses Napier crop as a ‘Pull’ component and Desmodium crop as a ‘Push’ crop. These agro-ecological strategies change the behavior of FAW and able to trap or manage them in a certain area or certain crop, where pest can be managed manually or using other non-insecticidal strategies. This review work will be useful for the academicians, extension workers and plant protectionist to design a sustainable FAW management protocol.
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