Efficacy of Maize Varieties and Lambdacot 500EC Concentrations on the Control of Maize Stem Borer (Busseola fusca Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The efficacy of maize varieties and Lambdacot 500EC concentrations were assessed on the damage caused by maize stem borer (Busseola fusca Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The experiment was a split-plot design with Lambdacot 500EC concentrations (0.5 , 1.0 and 1.5 l/ha) as the main plots and three maize varieties (SAMMAZ 14, DMR-LSR-Y and BR9943-DMR-SR-W) as the sub-plots on a plot size of 3.0 m x 4.0 m replicated three times. Maize plants were sprayed with the different Lambdacot 500 EC concentrations at 4 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP) The results obtained showed that lowest number of maize plants with leaf sheath pin-holes, dead hearts, and stem tunnels and cobs damage by larvae were recorded on SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y while BR9943-DMR-SR-W had the highest. Maize plants treated with Lambdacot 500EC at 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha had lowest leaf sheath pinholes, dead hearts, stem tunnels and cob damage while untreated maize plants had the highest damage. The highest maize grain yields was recorded on SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y on 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha concentrations. This study recommended SAMMAZ 14 and DMR-LSR-Y obtained from IAR treated with Lambdacot 500 EC at 1.0 l/ha and 1.5 l/ha concentrations to maize farmers in the study area.