Assessment of different control methods for the control of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in maize crop at Nowshera-Pakistan

Abstract

Insect pests pose heavy threat to maize crop each year in Nowshera-Pakistan. Efficient control of pests utilizes a combination of different control methods. Two years studies on the assessment of different control methods for the control of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in maize crop were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2008 and 2009 at the Cereal Crops Research Institute Pirsabak, Nowshera, Pakistan. Different control methods such as cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical alone and in combination of all as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were tested in comparison with control for controlling of C. partellus. The results showed that all the control methods were significantly effective in reducing C. partellus infestation in maize crop. C. partellus infestation was significantly lower in IPM treatment with 2.32% and 2.77%, as compared to check 12.92% and 7.70% during 2008 and 2009, respectively. The highest maize yield of 8.64 and 5.81 ton/ha was obtained in IPM treatments during 2008 and 2009, respectively. It is concluded that IPM is the most effective control methods against C. partellus and obtaining the highest maize yield.