Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Shashank VM, CS Patil, DM Firake, SA Landge and MR Patil

Abstract:
An investigation on effect of different sowing dates on the incidence of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in rabi maize was undertaken at MPKV, Rahuri during rabi 2021. Among the five sowing dates viz., October 2^nd fortnight, November 1^st fortnight, November 2^nd fortnight, December 1^st fortnight, December 2^nd fortnight. October 2^nd fortnight sown crop recorded lowest mean per cent infestation (33.55%) and mean larval population (0.63 larvae/plant) and it was moderately higher November 1^st fortnight sown crop (42.36% infestation; 1.01 larvae/plant). This was followed by November 2^nd fortnight (52.89% infestation; 1.41 larvae/plant) and December 2^nd fortnight sown crop (53.08% infestation; 1.37 larvae/plant). Whereas, December 1^st fortnight sown crop recorded highest mean per cent infestation (61.51%) and mean larval population (1.78 larvae/plant) indicating that late sown crops were highly infested when compared to the early sown crops. However, the highest yield of 53.61 was recorded in October 2^nd fortnight sown crop. The incidence of fall armyworm at different dates of sowing correlated with weather parameters indicated the negative influence with respect to rainfall, relative humidity and minimum temperature whereas, maximum temperature exhibited positive correlation on the activity of the fall armyworm.