Insecticidal Management of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) on Grain and Fodder Maize in Punjab

The incidence of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) was first observed in Punjab during late kharif 2019 season. Multi location trials were undertaken to study the efficacy of different insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis against this insect, in grain and fodder maize during kharif 2019. The data on efficacy of different treatments averaged at all locations revealed that spinetoram 11.7 SC @ 250 mL ha⁻¹ registered lowest per cent incidence of the pest in whorls and larval counts per 10 infested plants both at 5 and 10 d after spray. Significantly higher grain and green fodder yields were obtained in the treatment. Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 mL ha⁻¹ and emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 200 g ha⁻¹ also had significantly lower incidence in whorls and larval counts of fall armyworm. Both these treatments were on par with spinetoram, indicating superiority over Bt formulation and untreated control. Insecticides spinetoram, chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate also provided comparable net returns over the untreated control.