Comparative Evaluation of the Distribution and Severity of Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus in Selected Agro- Ecological Zones of Western Kenya

Abstract

A threat exists caused by ignorance on how farmers handle the losses due to stem borers in their maize fields especially Busseolafusca and Chilopartellus which are widely distributed and most destructive in most parts of western Kenya. Although the distribution and severity of these pests is largely attributed to conducive climatic conditions of Western Kenya their high proliferation is also attributed to existence of a significantly large number of maize varieties that sustain their survival in the region. These varieties are of least resistance and tolerance to the stem borer, despite their high adoption by maize farmers which causes high yield losses in maize production. To predict the genesis of this occurrence a comparative study using an ex-post-facto research method was conducted in Bungoma and Vihiga counties in randomized farms to evaluate the prevalence, severity and distribution trend among sampled maize varieties. The objective was to determine whether the selected maize hybrids exhibited any indications of tolerance and resistance bias to their genome as imposed by pest pressure in the agro ecological zones. Results indicate that Busseola fusca was more dominant and most destructive in Upper highland 1 while Chilo partellus was dominant and more destructive in Upper midland 1. Hybrid 614 maize variety exhibited highest attack by Busseola fusca in UH1 but showed insignificant effect on Hybrid 628maize variety. Hybrid 628 maize variety however was very susceptible to Chilo partellus in the same region. It is recommended that farmers adopt maize varieties of mixed resistance and tolerance in