Management of Fall Armyworm ln Maize Crop through various Insecticides at District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Abstract

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major insect pest of maize, causing significant damage to crop worldwide. The experiment was conducted at farmer field in district Swat to check the effectiveness of various synthetic insecticides against fall armyworm in maize. Randomized complete block design was used having six (06) treatment including control via Chlorantranilrole 18.5% SC Spinosad 45% SC, Spinetoram 11.7% SC, Flubendiamide 39.35% SC and Chlorpyrifos 40% EC replicated three (03) times. The variety sown was Azam. After both the spray application, Spinosad (1.04, 0.52) and Chlorantraniliprole (1.07, 0.61) significantly lowered the mean density of fall armyworm and were found non-significant with each other while the control plot showed highest mean density of fall armyworm ((2.48, 2.88). The findings also indicated that Spinosad resulted in highest maize yield (9777.8 kgha-1) and cost benefit ratio (15.82) followed by Spinetoram (9481.5 kgha-1) and (14.62). The lowest yield was observed in control (6222.2 kgha-1) and lower cost benefit ratio was noted in Flubendiamide (8.61). The above study concluded the effectiveness of Spinetoram 11.7% SC and Spinosad 45% SC treatments against fall armyworm infestation and ensuring profitability in maize production. So, these insecticides are recommended for best management of the insect pest.