Maize Stem Borer Research Articles

Deep learning applications for real-time and early detection of fall armyworm, African armyworm, and maize stem borer

The application of artificial intelligence for identifying Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta), and Maize stem borer (Busseola fusca) is critical due to the threats they pose to global food production. This study aims to evaluate and identify the most accurate and robust DL models in detecting and classifying these three significant agricultural pests. Seven traditional DL models: Convolutional Neural Network, Visual Geometry Group (VGG16), Residual Networks (ResNet50), MobileNetV2, InceptionV3, Deep Neural Network (DNN), and InceptionResNetV2 and the advanced You Look Only Once (YOLOv8) model were trained and tested using pest image datasets. The results showed that all traditional models except DNN had high accuracies ranging from 93.17% (InceptionResNetV2) to 99.43% (MobileNet) in training and testing, with losses ranging from 1.71% (MobileNetV2) to 24.99% (InceptionResNetV2). DNN had a slightly lower accuracy range of 55.27% to 56.39% and a loss range of 85.02% to 89.96% in training and testing. YOLOv8 emerged as the best and most robust model in the pest detection and classification tasks, achieving Precision and Recall scores ranging from 98.4% to 100% on single-class and multi-class classifications, making it highly suitable for real-world pest management applications. This research pioneers the use of DL for the classification and detection of maize stem borer, African armyworm and Fall armyworm, unique and separately addressing a critical gap in agricultural pest management in corn. With early and accurate pest identification, crop protection measures can be implemented efficiently. The findings lead to reduced crop damage and enhanced food security.

Damage and insecticidal control of stem borer (Busseola fusca L; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize in Halhal Begoss

A maize stem borer (Busseola fusca L) control study was conducted in Halhal Begos with the objectives of assessing the damage caused by the pest and identifying the simple method of control. The treatments used were Furadan 1G, Carbaryl 85%WP, Cymbush 1G and control. The data collected were larval count, dead heart count, tunnel length, per cent infestation at 30 and 45 days after emergency. The larval count was taken from the border rows, and yield was taken from the central row at harvest. All agronomic data, like the date to the heading plant height etc were taken on time. The results of the study showed that all the pesticides used gave good control of the larvae. Furadan gave the highest yield benefit and monetary value compared to the check.

Spatial and agronomic stage distribution dynamics of maize stem borers (Lepidoptera) in the Agricultural development Zone B of Niger State, Nigeria

Maize farmers in Nigeria have been facing challenges as efforts towards the cultivation of maize is seriously hampered by insect pest infestation in maize fields, of which stem borers are a major culprit. The study was carried out to identify the species of stem borers present and their abundance in Agricultural development Zone B of Niger State. Farm sites located in Beji, Chanchaga, Paiko and Shanu, were selected and sampled for stem borers, during vegetative, reproductive and harvest stages of the field maize crops. Identification was done using standard taxonomic keys. The results indicated the presence of three species of stem borer belonging to three families. A species each from Noctuidae, Crambidae and Pyralidae consisting of Busseola fusca (n = 1639, 68.24%), Chilo partellus (n = 160, 6.66%) and Eldana saccharina (n = 603, 25.10%) respectively. Generally, all sites had two species of the stem borer (B. fusca and E. saccharina) present in all growth stages of the maize plant during the destructive sampling with the exception of Chilo partellus that was rarely found; occurring only in one site (Beji), all amounting to a total of 2402 stem borers collected during the study period. Among all the growth stages of the maize plants in all sampled sites the level of infestation varied significantly (p< 0.05), in an increasing order: vegetative stage < reproductive stage < harvest stage of the maize plants. The findings of this study suggest that there is a serious stem borer pest infestation in the maize farms of Agricultural development Zone B of Niger state that could pose threats to maize (Zea mays) production in the area; thus, requiring urgent interventions on the parts of all stakeholders.

The Management Strategies against Maize Stem Borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) on Maize (Zea mays L.): A Review

The research provides updated information on the effect of different insecticides and biopesticides against maize stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) were carried out at different areas by different scientists. Combining Imidacloprid and Trichogramma chilonis resulted in significantly decreased leaf injury m-2 (1.32) and dead hearts (4.16%) in several trials done in different agroclimatic zones. With maximum grain yield (39.5 q/ha), imidacloprid + Karanj oil significantly reduced dead heart (2.8%), plant infestation (14.1%), stem tunneling (2.7%), and number of exit holes per plant (0.6). Results of the field bio-efficacy study showed that at, Chloropyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% @2500 g.a.i./ha recorded significantly lower larval populations (1.18 larvae per plant) and a lower percentage of plant damage (9.00%). As per the findings this study suggests the percentage infestation and larval population of Chilo partellus can be minimized by the application of combinations of insecticides and biopesticides.

Efficacy of Different Concentrations of Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) on Maize Stem Borer Infestation

Maize stem borer (Chilo Partellus), poses a substantial threat to maize crops all over the world, causing damage that ranges from 26.7% to 80.4%. Its destructive impact includes killing the shoot in young plants, leading to a “dead heart,” and damaging the upper stem in older plants through boring activity. To combat this issue, a field experiment evaluated various insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as Lufenuron®, Pyriproxyfen®, Sitara®, Viper®, Track®, and Priority®. These IGRs, known as reduced-risk pesticides, target pest juveniles and are less harmful to beneficial insects. Conducted through a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 24 treatments, excluding a control group, the study recorded maize stem borer populations at 3, 7, and 14 days post-IGR application. In conclusion, the study identifies pyriproxyfen® and Priority® at double the standard concentrations as highly effective insect growth regulators in mitigating maize stem borer infestations, offering promising avenues for enhanced pest control strategies in maize cultivation.

Comparative efficacy and economics of selected insecticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

Comparative efficacy and economics of selected insecticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

Efficacy of selected insecticides and biopesticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

Efficacy of selected insecticides and biopesticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

Field efficacy of certain insecticides and biopesticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus infesting maize (Zea mays L.)

Field efficacy of certain insecticides and biopesticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus infesting maize (Zea mays L.)

Prevalence of insect pests on maize crop in District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The maize crop is used as food for humans, livestock and poultries forms, it is also used in bread making, corn flakes, corn syrup, corn starch and corn oils. The field study consisted of one experimental trial, about the incidence of that insect pest complex on maize cultivar Azam during the Kharif season 2020 at the Agricultural, Research Station, Baffa, Mansehra. The trial was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and then it was divided into three replications. The result obtained from the trial showed that a number of the pest species were recorded during the experimental period; however, the population was noticed at a low level. The obtained insect species were corn leaf aphid (6.90 ± 5.5) per square inch, corn leafhopper (1.32 ± 0.63), maize stem borer (0.63 ± 0.29), corn flea beetle (0.43 ± 0.28), Thrips (0.38 ± 0.22), Hairy caterpillar (0.21 ± 0.22), Grasshopper (0.17 ± 0.11) and shoot fly (0.11 ± 0.08) throughout the season.

English

Maize crop is being attacked by numerous insect pests including borers which result in yield losses. Repeated use of similar insecticides resulted in resistance development in maize stem borer. The current research trial was executed to find out the lethal impacts of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G, Carbofuran 3 G, Fipronil 0.3% G, Cartap hydrochloride 4%G, Thimet and Monomehypo against Chilo partellus (S.). Results of insect pest infestation showed that maximum infestation (25.87%) was noted in check plot whereas lowest (2.93%) was recorded in case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G, Carbofuran 3 G was the next effective one (6.17%) followed by Fipronil 0.3% G (8.44%), Cartap hydrochloride 4%G (12.02%), Monomihypo (13.98%) and Thimet 5%G (15.08%). In case of dead-heart production, maximum dead heart (20.41%) were observed in control plot while lowermost (1.26%) in Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G treated plot. Highest reduction in plant infestation (88.69%) over control was noticed in case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G followed by Carbofuran 3 G (76.13%), Fipronil 0.3% G (67.38%), Cartap hydrochloride 4%G (53.50%), Monomihypo (46.18%) and Thimet 5%G (41.72%). In case of months of the study, maximum infestation (%) was noted during the month of August compared to July and September. Crop water productivity was highest (2.58 kg/m3) in the case of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G treated plots, while a comparatively low (1.29 kg m-3) was noted in the case of Thimat 5% treated plots under drip irrigation system but was superior to control plot (1.29 kg m-3) under flood irrigation system Overall results disclosed that all the insecticidal treatments sustained their supremacy over check plot in reducing infestation of C. partellus and Chlorantraniliprole 0.4% G was the best among the tested insecticides against C. partellus.

Evaluate the Efficacy of Different Biopesticides with Imidacloprid against Maize Spotted Stem Borer (Chilo partellus swinhoe) on maize under field conditions

An experiment of Maize stem borer Chilo partellus using different Bio-pesticides in field condition was carried out during Kharif 2022-2023 at central Research field SHUATS Prayagraj, UP., India. The management of Maize stem borer was done using 8 different treatments and benefit cost ratios of all the treatments were calculated. Total two sprays were applied to protect the crop from Chilo partellus using randomized block design with three replications. The observations of Chilo partellus 24 hours before (Pre- treatment) and 3rd, 7th and 14th day after spraying (post-treatment) were recorded for computing the percent of larval population reduction. The data were subjected to statistical analysis after appropriate transformation for interpretation. The treatment with recommended insecticide cost benefit ratio and yield is in Imidacloprid 200 SL (T7) (1:5.01) (40.49q/ha) followed by Beauveria bassiana (2 CFU×108 ml) (T1) (1:4.53) (38.45q/ha), Bacillus thuringiensis (108 CFU/ml) (T4) (1:4.41) (37.7q/ha), Metarhizium anisopliae (T2) (1:4.20) (36.79q/ha), NPV (T3) (1:4.03) (35.98q/ha), NSKE @ 5% (T5) (1:3.97) (34.6q/ha), Azadirachtin 0.03% (T6) (1:3.85) (33.57q/ha) Lest monetary return and yieldwas obtained with control (T0) (1:3.52) (28.4q/ha).

Genomic versus phenotypic selection to improve corn borer resistance and grain yield in maize.

The study of yield and resistance/tolerance to pest are related traits fundamental for maize breeding programs. Genomic selection (GS), which uses all marker information to calculate genomic breeding values, is presented as an emerging alternative to phenotypic and marker-assisted selections for improving complex traits controlled by many genes with small effects. Therefore, although phenotypic selection (PS) has been effective for increasing resistance and yield under high infestation with maize stem borers, higher genetic gains are expected to be obtained through GS based on the complex architecture of both traits. Our objective was to test whether GS is more effective than PS for improving resistance and/or tolerance to maize stem borers and grain yield. For this, we compared different selection programs based on phenotype and genotypic value for a single trait, resistance or yield, and for both traits together. We obtained that GS achieved the highest genetic gain for yield, meanwhile phenotypic selection for yield was the program that achieved the highest reduction of tunnel length, but was ineffective for increasing yield. However, phenotypic or genomic selection for increased resistance may be more effective in improving both traits together; although the gains per cycle would be small for both traits.

Transgenic maize inbred lines expressing high levels of Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3Aa86) offer effective control of maize stem borer (Chilo partellus)

Transgenic maize inbred lines expressing high levels of Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3Aa86) offer effective control of maize stem borer (Chilo partellus)

Combining Ability and Inheritance Nature of Agronomic Traits and Resistance to Pink Stem (Sesamia cretica) and Purple-Lined (Chilo agamemnon) Borers in Maize

The pink stem borer (PSB), Sesamia cretica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) purple-lined borer (PLB), Chilo agamemnon (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis, (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are considered the most devastating insect pests of maize production in the Mediterranean region. The frequent use of chemical insecticides has resulted in the evolution of resistance to various insect pests as well as the pernicious impact on natural enemies and environmental hazardousness. Therefore, developing resistant and high-yielding hybrids is the best economic and environmental approach to cope with these destructive insects. Accordingly, the objective of the study was to estimate the combining ability of maize inbred lines (ILs), identify promising hybrids, determine gene action controlling agronomic traits and resistance to PSB and PLB, and investigate inter-relationships among evaluated traits. A half-diallel mating design was employed to cross seven diverse maize inbreds to generate 21 F1 hybrids. The developed F1 hybrids, alongside high-yielding commercial check hybrid (SC-132), were assessed in field trials for two years under natural infestation. Substantial variations were obtained among the evaluated hybrids for all recorded characteristics. The non-additive gene action was major for grain yield and its contributing traits, while the additive gene action was more important in controlling the inheritance of PSB and PLB resistance. The inbred line IL1 was identified to be a good combiner for earliness and developing short-stature genotypes. Additionally, IL6 and IL7 were recognized as excellent combiners to enhance resistance to PSB, PLB and grain yield. The hybrid combinations IL1×IL6, IL3×IL6, and IL3×IL7 were determined to be excellent specific combiners for resistance to PSB, PLB and grain yield. Strong positive associations were identified among grain yield, its related traits, and resistance to PSB and PLB. This implies their importance as useful traits for indirect selection for improving grain yield. Otherwise, the resistance against PSB and PLB was negatively associated with the silking date, indicating that earliness would be favorable for escaping from the borer's attack. It could be concluded that the inheritance of PSB and PLB resistance can be governed by the additive gene effects, and the IL1×IL6, IL3×IL6, and IL3×IL7 hybrid combinations can be recommended as excellent combiners for resistance to PSB and PLB and good yield.

Host-induced silencing of the CpCHI gene resulted in developmental abnormalities and mortality in maize stem borer (Chilo partellus).

RNAi-based insecticides for crop protection have witnessed rapid improvement over the years. However, their potential to efficiently control maize stem borer (Chilo partellus) pests has remained underexplored. In this study, double-stranded C. partellus chitinase (dsCHI) toxicity was investigated in C. partellus larvae. Furthermore, we developed transgenic maize lines expressing dsRNA targeted against C. partellus chitinase transcripts and performed detached leaf insect feeding bioassays. Our results revealed that C. partellus chitinase transcript expression was significantly downregulated by 57% and 82% in the larvae. Larvae exhibited various phenotypic distortion levels across developmental stages, and 53% mortality occurred in transgenic fed larvae compared to those fed on nontransgenic leaves. In conclusion, we have identified the C. partellus chitinase gene as a potential target for RNAi-mediated control and demonstrated that oral delivery via bacteria and plant-mediated delivery are viable means of achieving C. partellus RNAi-mediated control.

Estimating the impact of biological control of maize stemborers on productivity and poverty in Kenya: a continuous treatment approach

Estimating the impact of biological control of maize stemborers on productivity and poverty in Kenya: a continuous treatment approach

Developmental Differentiations of Major Maize Stemborers Due to Global Warming in Temperate and Tropical Climates

While many insects are in decline due to global warming, the effect of rising temperatures on crop insect pests is uncertain. A capacity to understand future changes in crop pest populations remains critical to ensure food security. Using temperature-dependent mathematical models of the development of four maize stemborers in temperate and tropical regions, we evaluated the potential impacts of different climate change scenarios on development time. While recognizing the limitations of the temperature-dependent development rate approach, we found that global warming could either be beneficial or detrimental to pest development, depending on the optimal temperature for the development of the species and scenarios of climate change. Expected responses range from null development to 1.5 times faster development than expected today. These results suggest that in the medium term, the studied species could benefit from global warming with an accelerated development, while in the long term, their development could either be delayed or accelerated, which may impact their dynamics with implications on maize cultivation.

Efficacy of insecticides against maize stem borer, Chilopartellus (Swinhoe) and economics of maize

Efficacy of insecticides against maize stem borer, Chilopartellus (Swinhoe) and economics of maize

Evaluating maize genotypes for inherent resistance to maize stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe

Evaluating maize genotypes for inherent resistance to maize stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe

Exploration of Sources of Genetic Resistance in Maize Genotypes Against Stem Borer (Chilopartellus (Swinhoe))

Fourteen different maize genotypes were screened for their relative resistance to maize stem borer Chilopartellus (Swinhoe) under glass house condition at National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan during two consecutive years 2018 and 2019. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design having 2 replications. The unit plot size was one row of one meter length with 50 cm row to row and 20 cm plant to plant spacing. Two second instar larva of C. partellus (Swinhoe) per plant were released two times, first at 8th leaves (vegetative) and second at 12th leaves (Before tasseling) stages. Insect damage parameters (IDPs) viz. dead heart percentage, damage % at vegetative and foliar stage, foliar injury rating (1-9) at vegetative and before tasseling stage, tunnel length (cm), exit hole number and yield per plot were recorded to study the germplasm susceptibility level. The result revealed that IDPs and yield varied significantly among the tested genotypes. Over the years, IDPs like dead heart percentage (5.17%), percent damage atpre-tasseling stage (10.6%), foliar injury level (2.25), tunnel length (10.15 cm) and exit holes (2.32) were found lower with high yield (2235 g/plot) in RML-95/ RML-96 followed by RML- 86/RML-96. Two pipeline maize hybrids RML-95/RML-96 and RML-86/RML- 96 with least damaged by maize stem borer in both years will be useful for maize stem borer resistance source.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 293-301, September 2020