Maize Production Research Articles

New parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda in Lampung Province, Indonesia

Lampung Province is one of the largest maize producers in Indonesia. The invasion of Spodoptera frugiperda into Indonesia led to damage in maize, thereby impacting production. In the invaded area, native natural enemies also played a role in controlling the population of S. frugiperda. Therefore, the exploration and identification of parasitoids associated with S. frugiperda were necessary to determine potential control strategies. Four species of parasitoids were discovered emerging from S. frugiperda larvae collected from four maize production areas in Lampung Province, Indonesia, i.e. Lampung Timur, Pesawaran, Pringsewu, and Lampung Selatan. The parasitation rate ranges from 3.17 to 4.81%. Morphological observations confirmed that the parasitoids belonged to the genera Senometopia (Diptera: Tachinidae), Eriborus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Chelonus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Drino (Palexorista) (Diptera: Tachinidae). Additionally, Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) sequence analysis revealed that the parasitoids were identified as Senometopia illota, Genus nr. Eriborus sp., Chelonus formosanus, and Drino (Pelexorista) sp. Senometopia illota and Genus nr. Eriborus sp. are newly recorded as parasitoids of S. frugiperda. This finding will provide valuable information concerning the global diversity and distribution of parasitoids, including Indonesia, as well as a basis for determining appropriate control strategies for S. frugiperda.

Comprehensive diallel analysis of combining ability and heterosis to Fusarium verticillioides ear rot resistance in maize

AbstractMaize (Zea mays L.) Fusarium ear rot (FER), which is caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium verticillioides, is a major ear disease affecting maize production in China. Developing resistant maize hybrids is a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly method of reducing yield losses due to FER. Using the nail punch inoculation method, 17 highly resistant and 16 highly susceptible inbred lines were identified in this study, and a large‐scale maize hybrid consisting of 528 F1’s was produced using a half‐diallel cross model. The hybrids were inoculated with F. verticillioides in 6 year–location environment combinations during 2020–2022. Our results showed that estimates of genotypic, environmental, and genotype × environment interaction variance components were very significant (p < 0.001). All the crosses generated from highly resistant inbred lines exhibited high kernel resistance, whereas those generated from highly susceptible inbred lines mostly exhibited high susceptibility to FER. Crosses between resistant and susceptible inbred lines showed intermediate resistance to FER. The general combining ability (GCA) effect was greater than the specific combining ability effect across multiple environments, indicating that the inheritance of FER resistance was mainly influenced by additive genetic effects. The correlation coefficient between the expected GCA value and hybrid resistance was 0.789, whereas that between the mid‐parent value and hybrid resistance was only 0.644. Inbred performance per se and their corresponding hybrids across multiple environments were significantly correlated (r = 0.823). However, no relationship was observed between the FER resistance of F1’s and that of their parental heterotic groups.

Effect of Inflation on Kenya’s Maize Production and Food Security

The aim of this project was to examine the major determinants of Kenya's maize production. These objectives were actualized by evaluating the role of government policies on Kenya’s maize production for food security between 1992 and 2022 and examining the relationship between inflation and maize production for food security in Kenya between 1992 and 2022. The food availability decline theory would be instrumental in guiding this study. Time-series secondary data from the World Bank, FAOSTAT, and World Trade Organization (WTO) for the relevant period 1990–2022 was used to do this. Using a correlation research design, the econometric analysis of the time-series data revealed that inflation, unemployment, and eventually gross domestic GDP determined maize production. In the near term, the findings demonstrated that the exchange rate, one period's lag in the exchange rate, and the amount and quantity of maize imports all influence maize production. The results imply that in order to lessen the over-reliance on maize production, macroeconomic conditions should be effectively managed to improve domestic maize production, deter a spike in imports of the grain, and enhance food security in the nation.

First report of Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Egypt

BackgroundThe polyphagous alien invasive pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), invaded Africa and has so far spread across the continent, causing devastating impacts on maize production. In Egypt, the management of the pest by maize growers has been characterized by the application of broad-spectrum synthetic chemical insecticides, a strategy which is associated with various detrimental effects on the environment and human health. To mitigate the overreliance and excessive use of those synthetic chemicals, biological control using egg parasitoids species provides an ecologically friendly and sustainable management strategy. In that regard, this study had the objective of identifying the natural existing egg parasitoids, which could be effectively used in augmentative biocontrol of the pest in Egypt.ResultsFor the first time in Egypt, natural occurrence and parasitism of Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on S. frugiperda egg masses was recorded. Infested maize farms in Qena Governorate, Egypt, were surveyed, and S. frugiperda egg masses were collected and incubated in the laboratory. Emerging parasitoids’ wasps were grouped based on their morphological similarities. Natural parasitism of the egg parasitoids (Telenomus sp.) was computed from the parasitized field collected egg masses. In addition, to confirm the laboratory parasitism and suitability of the parasitoid, Telenomus sp. to develop on S. frugiperda, the parasitoid was reared on S. frugiperda egg masses for three generations under laboratory conditions. Moreover, both morphological and molecular identifications were conducted. The recovered parasitoid samples from the field S. frugiperda egg masses were Telenomus remus (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Moreover, the average field parasitism level by T. remus on S. frugiperda was 15.9%, while under laboratory conditions, the parasitism was 63.5%.ConclusionsThe natural occurrence of T. remus in Egypt and its association with S. frugiperda is an important finding upon which augmentative biocontrol strategy can be leveraged on to sustainably manage the pest populations.

FvOshC Is a Key Global Regulatory Target in Fusarium verticillioides for Fumonisin Biosynthesis and Disease Control.

Fusarium verticillioides has a substantial impact on maize production, commonly leading to maize ear rot and the production of fumonisin, a mycotoxin that poses health risks to both humans and animals. Currently, there is a lack of molecular targets for preventing the disease and controlling the toxin. The biological functions of oxysterol-binding proteins (OSBP) in filamentous fungi remain unclear. In this research, 7 oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins were identified in F. verticillioides, and these proteins were obtained through prokaryotic expression and purification. FvOshC was identified as the specific protein that binds to ergosterol through fluorescence titration. Gene knockout complementation techniques confirmed that FvOSHC plays a positive role, establishing it as a novel global regulatory protein involved in the pathogenicity and FB1 biosynthesis in F. verticillioides. Additionally, the interaction between FvOshC and FvSec14 was identified using yeast two-hybrid techniques. Moreover, computer-aided drug design technology was utilized to identify the receptor molecule Xanthatin based on FvOshC. The inhibitory effect of Xanthatin on the growth of F. verticillioides and the synthesis of FB1 was significantly demonstrated. These findings provide valuable insights that can aid in the management of mycotoxin pollution.

Early detection of nicosulfuron toxicity and physiological prediction in maize using multi-branch deep learning models and hyperspectral imaging

The misuse of herbicides in fields can cause severe toxicity in maize, resulting in significant reductions in both yield and quality. Therefore, it is crucial to develop early and efficient methods for assessing herbicide toxicity, protecting maize production, and maintaining the field environment. In this study, we utilized maize crops treated with the widely used nicosulfuron herbicide and their hyperspectral images to develop the HerbiNet model. After 4 d of nicosulfuron treatment, the model achieved an accuracy of 91.37 % in predicting toxicity levels, with correlation coefficient R² values of 0.82 and 0.73 for soil plant analysis development (SPAD) and water content, respectively. Additionally, the model exhibited higher generalizability across datasets from different years and seasons, which significantly surpassed support vector machines, AlexNet, and partial least squares regression models. A lightweight model, HerbiNet-Lite, exhibited significantly low complexity using 18 spectral wavelengths. After 4 d of nicosulfuron treatment, the HerbiNet-Lite model achieved an accuracy of 87.93 % for toxicity prediction and R² values of 0.80 and 0.71 for SPAD and water content, respectively, while significantly reducing overfitting. Overall, this study provides an innovative approach for the early and accurate detection of nicosulfuron toxicity within maize fields.

Assessing the Influence of Planting Dates on Sustainable Maize Production under Drought Stress Conditions

Water is one of the most precious resources and is essential to agricultural output; the biggest user of water is the agricultural sector. Several societal sectors are impacted by the problem of climate change, including agriculture, water resources, and irrigation water demand. A key element in determining sustainable crop production potential is choosing the right cultivars at the right time of year to plant. The dates on which maize is sown are greatly impacted by high summer temperatures and low spring temperatures. Water stress and the timing of sowing can have a significant impact on maize crop yield and water use efficiency. As a result, figuring out the ideal irrigation volume and sowing dates depending on local conditions is essential. A split plot layout was used to create a randomized complete block design for an experiment with five sowing dates (A, B, C, D, and E) and six hybrids (KWS3376, Xinyu 65, KWS9384, Huamei No. 1, Xinyu 102, and Heyu 187). All sowing dates and hybrids had a significant impact on the yield and yield-contributing features (leaf length, ear diameter, grain number per spike, grain breadth, hundred-grain weight, etc.) of maize crops according to the data analysis. A higher grain yield with yield features, such as ear length, number of grains per ear, and hundred-grain weight, was obtained with early-season sowing. Delayed seeding resulted in a lower crop yield. The seasonally delayed seeding of maize reduces yield and yield characteristics. Xinyu 65 produced the highest yield and yield component values of any hybrid. For improved yield and yield traits in the examined area, the study recommended planting maize hybrid Xinyu 65 early in the growing season.

Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Maize (Zea mays L.) Production and Choice of Adaptation Practices in Eastern Ethiopia

Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Maize (Zea mays L.) Production and Choice of Adaptation Practices in Eastern Ethiopia

Philippine Traditional Maize with Resistance to Asian Corn Borer [Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)] Leaf and Stalk Feeding Damage

Maize has been identified as an excellent alternative to rice as a staple food in the Philippines. The Asian corn borer (ACB; Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée), one of the most destructive insect pests of maize, damages plants throughout their vegetative and reproductive stages. Most open-pollinated varieties are threatened by pests and diseases. The CGUARD program investigated the potential of traditional Philippine maize as a source of resistance to major insect pests, including ACB. This paper evaluated the response of the selected 149 Philippine traditional maize accessions to ACB at vegetative and reproductive stages through laboratory bioefficacy procedures for potential resistance without the presence of Bt leaf and stalk-feeding resistance were determined through mean larval survival and mean tunnel length, respectively, after 5 d using laboratory- reared second-instar larvae. Improvements in screening procedures for laboratory assays are detailed in this report. Fourteen (14) accessions were identified to have promising leaf-feeding resistance, whereas 30 accessions were identified for stalk-feeding resistance. The resistance of APN 0088, a white glutinous type of maize from Palawan, to both leaf and stalk feeding of ACB was also validated. The results demonstrate the presence of natural resistance to ACB in traditional maize that has been exposed to the threat of the pest for decades. These promising accessions may be utilized to generate ACB-resistant or-tolerant maize, in addition to other breeding programs. Several pigmented varieties with ACB resistance were also identified, which may be further examined for their nutritional properties and potential as functional foods. By utilizing our traditional varieties, we are boosting local maize production that will benefit small-scale farmers and ultimately providing them with a high-performing variety that is crucial in this time of changing climate.

Identification of drought tolerant inbred lines and assessment of combining ability in maize (Zea mays L.)

AbstractMaize is an important agricultural crop ensuring food and nutritional security throughout the globe. It is highly sensitive to many of the biotic and abiotic stresses, and among them, drought is the most severe abiotic stress limiting maize production. Climate change tends to worsen this scenario by changing precipitation patterns and decreasing water availability. Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify drought‐tolerant inbred lines under well‐irrigated and managed stress conditions in the field toward developing drought‐resilient maize hybrids. The initial in vitro screening of 65 agronomically elite maize inbred lines was undertaken at 15%, 20%, and 25% polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations. Subsequently, the 15 inbreds selected for their promising performance under varying concentrations of PEG were evaluated in the pot (100%, 60%, and 40% of field capacity [FC]) and managed field experiments (moisture stress). Various physiological, biochemical, and yield attributing traits were measured among the inbreds to assess their drought tolerance potential. The analysis of variance in the pot and field experiments indicated significant genotypic differences among the inbreds and genotype × treatment interaction for different traits considered. In the pot experiment, the phenotypic correlation analysis showed a significant positive association of shoot fresh weight with plant height (r = .71), number of leaves (r = .58), relative water content (r = .60), root fresh weight (r = .58), shoot dry weight (r = .60), and SPAD meter readings under (r = .71) moisture stress condition. In the field experiment, the grain yield had a significant positive association with plant height, relative water content, SPAD before stress, ear length, ear girth, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, and per day productivity under stress. Proline accumulation in inbreds during stress was found to be higher compared to nonstress conditions. The inbred lines CML 505, CML 444, CML 451, CML 504, QM 11408, and MAI 214 were promising for most of the drought tolerance imparting traits. These six inbreds along with four inbreds having low DRI (SKV 50, MAI E2‐163, MAI 16, and MAI E2‐241) were crossed in half diallel manner, and crosses involving low × high or high × low DRI inbreds showed higher grain yield. The current study also revealed the need of combining various physiological and yield attributing traits in drought breeding programmes.

Effect of Different Spacing and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Maize: A Review

Optimal plant density influenced by crop geometric/planting techniques factors are crucial in achieving high yield to maize. In addition, nutrient management further enhances productivity. Increasing plant density can lead to higher grain yield per unit area, but it also reduces the yield per individual plant as the competition between plant to plant will increase. From different research it indicates that plant density lower than the optimum number result in higher productivity rate per plant but lower yield per area unit. After reviewing various research articles, it was concluded that the maximum growth and yield attributes of maize obtained with spacing 60: 20-30 cm. Highest nitrogen application up to 160 kg N per ha-1 by split application at sowing, 25 DAS and tasselling is most reliable to increase the maize productivity. The combined application of 70 kg ha-1 phosphorus and 60 kg ha-1 potassium is the most suitable to obtain the maximum growth and yield attributes such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, cob length, cobs per plant, dry matter accumulation and crop growth rate. Effective nutrient management, aligned with proper planting density, played a pivotal role in maximizing maize productivity, meeting the demands of a growing population, and contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.

Policy-driven food security: investigating the impact of China’s maize subsidy policy reform on farmer’ productivity

IntroductionChina is the largest producer, consumer, and trader of grain. Changes in China’s agricultural policies will affect global food trade and thus impact food security. In this paper, we use China’s maize subsidy system reform (MSSR) as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the impact of market-oriented reforms in price support policy on the productivity of grain.MethodsWe use official Chinese government panel data on farm households and a PSM-DID model to overcome the endogeneity problem of policy change.Results and discussionThe empirical results show that MSSR can increase maize productivity. The MSSR is divided into two phases: eliminating the maize purchase price and implementing maize producer subsidies. The policy effect of eliminating the purchase price exceeds the implementation of producer subsidies. Further analysis reveals that for farmers with a larger scale of cultivation, higher level of specialization, and higher degree of part-time employment, the MSSR enhances their productivity more significantly. In the high quartile, the MSSR reduces farmers’ productivity. In the low quartile, the MSSR raises farmers’ productivity, suggesting that the MSSR reduces the productivity differences among farmers. The results of our study suggest that market-based reform of price subsidies is an effective institutional arrangement to mitigate resource mismatch and increase food productivity, and point to the need to continue to improve the MSSR, explore diversified maize producer subsidy policies, and take into account the impact of other subsidies on farmers’ maize production behavior.

Integrated Models of Cleaner Production Technologies for Maize Cultivation in China’s Black Soil Regions

Incorporating carbon footprints into the production efficiency framework to construct a standardized technology model for cleaner production in black soil regions is of great significance for improving the soil environment and the sustainable development of agriculture. This study used an orthogonal experimental design and the DEA–Malmquist method to calculate the carbon footprint and total factor productivity of orthogonal experimental groups of cleaner production technologies for maize cultivation in China’s black soil region and then identified integrated models of cleaner production technology in the black soil region. The results showed that the carbon footprint of maize cultivation and total factor productivity were generally higher in the experimental group using cleaner production techniques than in the control group. Still, none of them reached the optimum. In the future, the synergistic effect of technological progress and technological efficiency enhancement should be brought into play, and the integrated models of “Soil testing and formulation + Full mobile sprinkler irrigation + Straw tilling and field return” and “No tillage in spring + Soil testing and formulation + Straw tilling and field return” should be promoted in semi-arid and semi-humid black soil regions, which can improve the low carbon productivity of maize by 20.3% and 15.4%, respectively.

Impact of zero tillage maize production on yield, income, and resource utilization in peninsular India: an action-based quasi-experimental research

Impact of zero tillage maize production on yield, income, and resource utilization in peninsular India: an action-based quasi-experimental research

Intelligent crop management system for improving yield in maize production: evidence from India

PurposeManaging weeds and pests in cropland is one of the major concerns in agriculture that greatly affects the quantity and quality of the produce. While the success of preventing potential weeds and pests is not guaranteed, early detection and diagnosis help manage them effectively to ensure crops’ growth and healthDesign/methodology/approachWe propose a diagnostic framework for crop management with automatic weed and pest detection and identification in maize crops using residual neural networks. We train two models, one for weed detection with a labeled image dataset of maize and commonly occurring weed plants, and another for leaf disease detection using a labeled image dataset of healthy and infected maize leaves. The global and local explanations of image classification are obtained and presentedFindingsWeed and disease detection and identification can be accurately performed using deep-learning neural networks. Weed detection is accurate up to 97%, and disease detection up to 95% is made on average and the results are presented. Further, using this crop management system, we can detect the presence of weeds and pests in the maize crop early, and the annual yield of the maize crop can potentially increase by 90% theoretically with suitable control actionsPractical implicationsThe proposed diagnostic models can be further used on farms to monitor the health of maize crops. Images obtained from drones and robots can be fed to these models, which can then automatically detect and identify weed and disease attacks on maize farms. This offers early diagnosis, which enables necessary treatment and control of crops at the early stages without affecting the yield of the maize cropSocial implicationsThe proposed crop management framework allows treatment and control of weeds and pests only in the affected regions of the farms and hence minimizes the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides and their related health effects on consumers and farmers.Originality/valueThis study presents an integrated weed and disease diagnostic framework, which is scarcely reported in the literature

Exogenous Glycinebetaine Regulates the Contrasting Responses in Leaf Physiochemical Attributes and Growth of Maize under Drought and Flooding Stresses.

Flooding and drought are the two most devastating natural hazards limiting maize production. Exogenous glycinebetaine (GB), an osmotic adjustment agent, has been extensively used but there is limited research on its role in mitigating the negative effects of different abiotic stresses. This study aims to identify the different roles of GB in regulating the diverse defense regulation of maize against drought and flooding. Hybrids of Yindieyu 9 and Heyu 397 grown in pots in a ventilated greenhouse were subjected to flooding (2-3 cm standing layer) and drought (40-45% field capacity) at the three-leaf stage for 8 d. The effects of different concentrations of foliar GB (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mM) on the physiochemical attributes and growth of maize were tested. Greater drought than flooding tolerance in both varieties to combat oxidative stress was associated with higher antioxidant activities and proline content. While flooding decreased superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activities and proline content compared to normal water, they all declined with stress duration, leading to a larger reactive oxygen species compared to drought. It was POD under drought stress and ascorbate peroxidase under flooding stress that played crucial roles in tolerating water stress. Foliar GB further enhanced antioxidant ability and contributed more effects to POD to eliminate more hydrogen peroxide than the superoxide anion, promoting growth, especially for leaves under water stress. Furthermore, exogenous GB made a greater increment in Heyu 397 than Yindieyu 9, as well as flooding compared to drought. Overall, a GB concentration of 5.0 mM, with a non-toxic effect on well-watered maize, was determined to be optimal for the effective mitigation of water-stress damage to the physiochemical characteristics and growth of maize.

Effect of Longterm Fertilization and Manuring on Nutritional Quality of Maize Grain

A study on Effect of long term fertilization and manuring on soil quality and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) under finger millet-maize cropping system was carried out in LTFE plots which has been in progress since 1986 at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Eleven treatments were laid in randomized block design with three replications. The hybrid maize was grown in LTFE plots during Rabi 2021-2022 (35th crop cycle) and qualities of grain were assessed. Application of 100 per cent NPK+ FYM+ lime recorded significantly higher grain quality viz., geometric mean diameter (7.63 mm), bulk density (791 kg m-3), 1000 grain mass (444.10 g), colour (L*72.91, a*4.68, b*27.48), crude protein (10.35%), ash (1.73%), moisture (8.19%) and crude fibre (1.85%). Inorganic fertilization alone, 100% N, 100% NP and control treatments recorded poor quality grain of maize. The conjoint use of organic manures along with chemical fertilizers in balanced form is essential to maintain good soil quality and for quality maize production.

Farmer perceptions, knowledge, and management of fall armyworm in maize production in Uganda.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), fall armyworm (FAW), a polyphagous Noctuid pest, was first reported in Uganda in 2016. Farmers were trained to identify and manage the pest, but there was a lack of information on farmer knowledge, perceptions and practices deployed to control it. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess maize farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of the pest during the invasion. We interviewed 1,289 maize farmers from 10 maize-growing agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Uganda using well-structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using R version 4.2.3. The respondents faced many constraints, including pests, drought, poor soils and labor constraints. Among the pests, FAW was ranked by most (85%) of the respondents as the number one pest problem in maize, and some farmers reported having noticed it way back in 2014. By 2018, more than 90% of the farmers had seen or heard about FAW, and about 80% saw FAW in their fields. The most common FAW symptoms reported by maize farmers were windowing, near tunnel damage, and holes on the cobs. The developmental stages of FAW identified by farmers included eggs (10%), young larvae (78.7%), mature larvae (73.5%) and adult moths (6.7%). Insecticides were the major control tactic, although some farmers used plant extracts, hand-picking, sand, and ash. Farmers sourced information on FAW from various sources, including fellow farmers, radio/TV, extension agents, input dealers, print media, research and NGO extension. There is a need to package clear and uniform information for the farmers and to develop and promote a sustainable solution for FAW management, including harnessing biological control and cultural practices.

The Potential of Burkholderia sp. from Zea mays Roots as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) plays a crucial role in enhancing plant health, while Burkholderia sp. has been identified and has potential as a promising PGPR for maize plants. Recognizing the essential role of PGPR in plant health, this study explores how L-TRP addition might improve PGPR performance for better plant growth. Employing a completely randomized design, the study assesses the effects of Burkholderia sp. as PGPR on maize growth across three treatment groups: PGPR with L-TRP, PGPR without L-TRP, and a control group. The evaluation focuses on plant growth metrics, plant hormone production (auxin and gibberellin), and siderophore activity to gauge plant iron availability. Statistical analysis highlights that L-TRP supplementation notably increases auxin production in the PGPR + L-TRP group, surpassing the PGPR without L-TRP and control groups. Although both PGPR treatments elevate gibberellin levels compared to the control, auxin increase is the most significant outcome, indicating no substantial difference in gibberellin levels between the two PGPR groups. Enhanced siderophore production suggests improved iron assimilation for plants. The findings demonstrate that L-TRP supplementation with PGPR, particularly Burkholderia sp., effectively boosts maize growth, primarily through increased auxin and siderophore production. This combination presents a promising strategy for augmenting agricultural yields, especially for maize productivity, by leveraging the synergistic effects of soil microbes and nutrient supplementation.