Efficacy of neem bio-pesticide and synthetic insecticides against control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Maize

Abstract

Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is prevalent in Zimbabwe, causing significant damage to maize and yield losses. Three synthetic insecticides (Nemesis, Ecoterex and Lamda-cyhalothrin) belonging to different chemical groups and neem bio-pesticide (Neem Leaf Extract) were tested for their efficacy against FAW under laboratory and field conditions. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of neem bio-pesticide and synthetic insecticides on the population of FAW larvae, level of leaf damage and maize grain yield in comparison with untreated control plants. In laboratory experiment, neem biopesticide and the three synthetic insecticides resulted in significantly higher FAW larval mortality (p < 0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 hours after application of treatments as compared with the untreated plants. Neem bio-pesticide and the synthetic insecticides caused highest percentage of larval mortality (> 90%) at 72 hours after treatment application. In the field, both bio-pesticide and synthetic insecticides resulted in significantly higher efficacy (p < 0.05) against fall armyworm larvae, reduced the level of leaf damage and increased maize grain yield as compared to the untreated control plants. The untreated maize plants were found to be extensively damaged by FAW as compared to those treated with insecticides and neem bio-pesticide. The highest efficacy was recorded on plants treated with Nemesis, followed by Neem Leaf Extract, Ecoterex and lastly Lamda-cyhalothrin, respectively. The neem bio-pesticide and synthetic insecticides which were used in this study showed high efficacy against FAW larvae and can be recommended to be used as components for integrated pest management (IPM) plans for FAW under smallholder farmer conditions in Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.

Comparative efficacy and economics of selected chemicals and Metarhizium anisopliae against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on maize (Zea mays L.) at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

“…Lambda Cyhalothrin 5% EC (1.70), was found to be the next best treatment which is in line with the findings of Charitha and Kumar (2023) [9] , Patidar et al (2022) [24] , Khairul et al (2022) [20] . Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (1.84) was found to be the next best treatment which is in line with the findings of Sangle et al (2020) [25] , Kumari et al (2020) [21] . Thiamethoxam 25% WG (2.078) was found to be the next best treatment which is in line with the findings of Mallapur et al (2019) [22] , and Ingavale (2021).…”

“…The United States of America (USA) is the largest producer of maize contributing nearly 36% of the total production in the world (APEDA, 2015) [3] . India ranks sixth in global maize production and fifteenth position in its productivity in the world, contributing to 2.4 percent of world production with almost a 5 percent share in world harvested area (Sangle et al, 2020) [25] . The predominant maize-growing states that contribute more than 80 percent of the total maize production are Andhra Pradesh (20.9%), Karnataka (16.5%), Rajasthan (9.9%), Maharashtra (9.1%), Bihar (8.9%), Uttar Pradesh (6.1%), Madhya Pradesh (5.7%), Himachal Pradesh (4.4%).…”

Field Efficacy of Different Insecticides Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) in Spring Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…There were significant differences observed among the treatments in terms of reducing FA larvae populations at various time intervals after treatment application (Kumar, 2021). This aligns with the study conducted by Bharadwaj et al (2020), which also reported significant reductions in the populations of FA larvae with the application of different insecticides.…”

“…The maize (Zea mays L.), a member of the Poaceae family, is an important cereal crop grown extensively in temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world (Sangle et al, 2020). In Nepal, maize occupies a prominent position as the second most cultivated crop after rice in terms of both area and production, with an annual growth rate of 5% from the previous year.…”

Field Efficacy of Insecticides against Fall Army Worm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) on Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…The next best treatment was found to be Spinosad 45% SC in which the efficacy values of first and second spray were (2.86) and (1.46) respectively; these results were supported by Mallapur et al [20] and Sangle et al [21]. The next effective treatment was found to be Profenophos 50% EC in which efficacy values of first and second sprays were (2.93) and (1.53) respectively; these results were supported by Sangle et al [21]. The efficacy of Cypermethrin 10% EC on fall armyworm in first and second spray were (2.99) and (1.59).…”