Effectiveness of Push–Pull Systems to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Management in Maize Crops in Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Chemical control is the main method used to combat fall armyworm in maize crops. However, its indiscriminate use usually leads to a more complex scenario characterized by loss of its effectiveness due to the development of resistance of the insect pest, emergence of secondary pests, and reduction of the populations of natural enemies. For this reason, efforts to develop strategies for agroecological pest management such as Push–Pull are increasingly growing. In this context, the present study was carried out to evaluate field effectiveness of Push–Pull systems for S. frugiperda management in maize crops in Morelos, Mexico. In a randomized block experiment, the incidence and severity of S. frugiperda, the development and yield of maize were evaluated in nine Push–Pull systems and a maize monoculture. The Push–Pull systems presented incidence/severity values lower than those of the monoculture. Morphological development and maize yield in the latter were lower than those of most Push–Pull systems. Mombasa—D. ambrosioides, Mulato II—T. erecta, Mulato II—C. juncea, Tanzania—T. erecta and Tanzania—D. ambrosioides systems presented higher yields than those of monocultures.

Agronomic Factors Influencing Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Infestation and Damage and Its Co-Occurrence with Stemborers in Maize Cropping Systems in Kenya

“…Similar observations were made by Hailu et al [ 18 ] on maize–legume intercrops in Uganda compared to maize monoculture. Guera et al [ 38 ] demonstrated that maize push–pull cropping systems encompassing Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum Jacq.…”

“…Although these weeds may also host FAW’s natural enemies [ 55 ], they may also host other pests, including cereal stemborers with which FAW share the same ecological niche and may contribute to the damage inflicted on the maize plants [ 56 , 57 ]. If weeds, including the gramineous ones, which are closely related to maize, attract FAW, it will be advantageous to plant them around the maize field to attract FAW away from the maize, such as in the push–pull strategies that have been developed for stemborers [ 38 ]. This is one of the key principles utilized by push–pull companion cropping against stemborers by using Napier grass as a trap crop, as it is more attractive to the ovipositing females [ 39 ].…”

Geostatistical analysis of fall armyworm damage and edaphoclimatic conditions of a mosaic of agroecosystems predominated by push-pull systems

“…The present study was conducted in the mosaic of agroecosystems established in the field effectiveness evaluation experiment conducted by Guera et al (2021) in an area located between coordinates 18.893323N and 99.102158W. This mosaic consists of the treatments evaluated in the experiment (Table 1): m onocultures (negative control) and nine push-pull systems proposed by Guera et al (2020).…”

Dummy Variable Regression and Artificial Neural Networks for Maize Grain Yields Prediction in Push-Pull Systems

“…The data were obtained from an experiment established following a randomized block design. In this experiment, monocultures and nine push-pull systems (ten management systems) proposed by Guera et al (2020) were evaluated in 3 blocks, totaling 30 experimental units (plots) of size 14m × 14m (Guera et al, 2021;Guera et al, 2023). The evaluated push-pull systems were: 1) Brachiaria hybrid cv Mulato II -Dysphania ambrosioides (MIID), 2) Brachiaria hybrid cv Mulato II -Crotalaria juncea (MIIC), 3) Brachiaria hybrid cv Mulato II -Tagetes erecta (MIIT), 4) Panicum maximum cv Tanzania -Dysphania ambrosioides (TD), 5) Panicum maximum cv Tanzania -Crotalaria juncea (TC), 6) Panicum maximum cv Tanzania -Tagetes erecta (TT), 7) Panicum maximum cv Mombasa -Dysphania ambrosioides (MD), 8) Panicum maximum cv Mombasa -Crotalaria juncea (MC), 9) Panicum maximum cv Mombasa -Tagetes erecta (MT).…”