Efficacy of Nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfNPV) and Insecticides alone and in Combination against fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infesting Maize

Author: Pavan J.S., N.B. Patel, Raghunandan B.L. and A. M.Baldaniya

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Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of SfNPV and insecticides alone and in combination against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) infesting maize under field condition during Kharif season of 2021 at Agronomy farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat, India). With respect to larval population, the treatment of SfNPV 1% AS + spinetoram 11.7 SC (1.99 larvae/10 plants) found superior in reducing larval population. However, SfNPV 1% AS + emamectin benzoate 5 SG (2.43 larvae/10 plants) and SfNPV 1% AS + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (2.70 larvae/10 plants) found mediocre in their effectiveness against fall armyworm. Regarding plant damage the treatment of SfNPV 1% AS + spinetoram 11.7 SC (15.96%) noted as superior in minimizing plant damage. However, SfNPV 1% AS + emamectin benzoate 5 SG (19.60%) and SfNPV 1% AS + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (22.94%) registered as average in their effectiveness against plant damage due to fall armyworm. Based on cob damage, it was inferred that cob damage caused by fall armyworm, S. frugiperda reduced by spraying of SfNPV 1% AS + spinetoram 11.7 SC and SfNPV 1% AS + emamectin benzoate 5 SG. The maximum grain and fodder yield were recorded from the plots treated with SfNPV 1% AS + spinetoram 11.7 SC (2555 and 3461 kg/ha) and SfNPV 1% AS + emamectin benzoate 5 SG (2495 and 3377 kg/ha). Increase in yield over control of grain as well as fodder ranged from 14.52 to 89.48 and 9.45 to 85.86 per cent, respectively. This is the first study on SfNPV combination with insecticides on the invasive pest fall armyworm in India. As a result of the present study, it has been determined that insecticides combined with SfNPV are the most suitable for use in Integrated Pest Management programs.

Keywords

Fall armyworm (FAW), bio-efficacy, nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), insecticides, maize

Conclusion

This is the first study on SfNPV combination with insecticides on the invasive pest fall armyworm in India. From the results it can be concluded that the spinetoram 11.7 SC and emamectin benzoate 5 SG found most effective in reducing larval population of fall armyworm infesting kharif maize. But chemical pesticides, can destroy population of natural enemies of crop pests and cause other issues such as secondary pest epidemics, pest resurgence and pesticide resistance in target pests due to extensive use of pesticides. As observed from above results, SfNPV 1% AS + spinetoram 11.7 SC and SfNPV 1% AS + emamectin benzoate 5 SG also found effective in reducing larval population of fall armyworm S. frugiperda, so it can be concluded that combination of insecticides along with NPV can be recommended for pest management. Microbial insecticides in combination with chemicals insecticides not only reduce the use of sole chemical insecticides to an extent but also increase the effectiveness of pesticides. Besides, both in combination would be economically viable reducing cost and risk by improving B:C ratio. Compatibility of bio-gents with chemical pesticides is very important to reduce the chances of development of resistances to newer chemical insecticides.

References

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How to cite this article

Pavan J.S., N.B. Patel, Raghunandan B.L. and A. M. Baldaniya (2022). Efficacy of Nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfNPV) and Insecticides alone and in Combination against fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infesting Maize. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4): 1120-1125.