Abstract
Studies on the effect of different planting dates and varieties of maize on the infestation of maize stem borer (Chilo partellus) were carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 2010/11 and 2011/12. Three maize varieties namely namely Arun-2, Rampur Composite and Gaurav (hybrid) were grown at weekly interval upto 52 weeks from January to December. The results revealed that the damage was higher in Arun-2 (38.9%) followed by Gaurav (35.4%) and Rampur Composite (30.8%) respectively. Higher damage was observed in April (58.2%) and the damage was gradually decreased toward the month of January/February (13.2 to 25.6%) and November/December (13.3 to 16.5%). Lower infestation was observed in winter season (22.5%) followed by spring (47.1%) and summer season (47.0%) respectively. This study suggests that the percent infestation of maize stem borer can be minimized by planting Rampur Composite variety in winter season.
Highlights
The yield of maize crop is adversely affected due to insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes and birds etc
It is cleared that the above mentioned temperature is most congenial for pests’ growth and development. These finding was confirmed with the work of Tamiru et al (2012) as most suitable condition for Chilo partellus Swinehoe development was 26 to 30 oC temperature
The above statement is supported by Muhammad et al (2010) that the infestation of Chilo partellus Swinehoe was found highest at higher temperature (32.5oC)
Summary
The yield of maize crop is adversely affected due to insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes and birds etc. The major insect pests that attack maize crop include maize aphids, cutworms, stem/shoot fly, root worm and stem borer. The grain losses range from 10-15% due to insect pests alone (Jaipal and Dass, 1993). Maize stem borer Chilo partellus Swinhoe is the most serious pest (Kumar et al, 1993). The damage due to insect pest complex depends upon their population trends in the field which, in turn, rely upon their dynamically of the physical factors of their immediate environment (Isard, 2004). A thorough understanding of the exact relationship between the change in environmental factors and those in the pest population may help anticipate the pest losses to the crop, and help avoid them
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