Seed treatment with insecticides- A potential option against fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Spraying with insecticides is generally carried out for the management of fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) in maize. As the pest causes significant damage in the vegetative stages, seed treatment can also be an option. In the present study, seed treatment has been evaluated for its efficacy in comparison with spray in maize. The results suggested that chlorantraniliprole 62.5FS was more effective than presently used seed treatment with cyantraniliprole. In case of foliar spray, spinetoram 11.7SC along with chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC and emamectin benzoate 5SG were found effective. As seed treatment is easy to practice and economical, seed treatment with diamides, particularly chlorantraniliprole 62.5FS might provide a better alternative to foliar sprays during early crop stage. Hence, an integrated strategy involving seed treatment in combination with need-based foliar spray at later crop stages may make management of S. frugiperda more efficient.