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Exploring the Role of various Abiotic Factors on Occurrence and Population Density of FAW Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) infesting rabi Maize

Author: N.D. Zatale, D.B. Randive, P.B. Khedkar, D.P. Khatke, S.M. Magar and D.S. Thengade

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Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) also called as the queen of cereals which belongs to the family Graminae is one of the important grain crop mainly utilized as feed, food and raw material for diverse industrial applications globally. Some reports states that 250 pests attack the maize but only few of pests area reason of concern and require control measures. Among them Spodoptera frugiperda is of great concern since it attacks maize in both vegetative as well as reproductive stage and can cause 100% yield loss. Keeping this in mind the field experiment was conducted to study the seasonal occurrence of FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda on maize during rabi season 2021 and the observations were taken at twice per week. The first incidence of S. frugiperda on rabi maize was recorded in 48th standard meteorological week (9.00 larvae per quadrat) with its peak population level (25.00 larvae per quadrat) in 51st standard meteorological week. The correlation studies revealed that the relative humidity before the noon and relative humidity in afternoon had positive influence on the larval population of S. frugiperda, while maximum temperature and wind speed had negative relationship with larval density of S. frugiperda during rabi season.

Keywords

Fall armyworm, maize, temperature, population density, incidence and rainfall

Conclusion

The population of S. frugiperda was seen minimum during the First fortnight of March, 2022 and the maximum population was found at the second fortnight of December, 2021. Population of the S. frugiperda decreases with increase in the rainfall whereas the population increases with increase in relative humidity.

References

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How to cite this article

N.D. Zatale, D.B. Randive, P.B. Khedkar, D.P. Khatke, S.M. Magar and D.S. Thengade (2023). Exploring the Role of various Abiotic factors on Occurrence and Population Density of FAW Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) infesting rabi maize. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1343-1345.