The use of several maize varieties by farmers and the infestation of Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The use of plant varieties can affect the presence and extent of pest attacks. Resistant varieties will cause a lower attack rate compared to susceptible varieties. It is not yet known which varieties of maize are resistant to Fall armyworm (S. frugiperda) (FAW) in the field, because this pest is an invasive pest and entered Indonesia one year ago. Research has been carried out to study the distribution, population, and level of S. frugiperda attack on maize varieties planted by farmers in the field. The research was conducted at the first location this pest was reported in West Pasaman district, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Survey on farmers’ corn with a sampling method: purposive random sampling. Samples were taken from different varieties of corn and showed signs of S. frugiperda attack. Observations were made on the varieties planted by farmers, symptoms, larvae population, and S. frugiperda attack rate. The results of the observations were that several trademarks of maize varieties grown by farmers were: Pioneer 32, Pertiwi, Bisi 18, NK7328, and NK212. The symptoms of this pest attack were the same for all varieties of maize, while the attack rate was significantly different at the 5% level. The attack rate ranged from 6.0 to 96.0%. The lowest attack percentage was on variety Bisi18, and the highest was on variety NK212. The population of S. frugiperda larvae was found in all varieties of maize with an average of 0.70 larvae per stem.