Integrated pest management of an invasive pest on maize, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Maize is the important crop and cultivated in an area of 15979 ha and 16626 ha during Kharif and Rabi, respectively in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. A recent invasive pest fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) has become a major threat to the maize crop and observed 35-40 % loss in production. This foreignpest has been found during June, 2018 in the district by KVK, Amadalavalasa and has become very severe in the later seasons. IPM modules have been formulated for the pest management and evaluated during Kharif and Rabi, 2019 in the farmers field comparing with the farmers practice (Non IPM). During the on farm trials conducted by KVK, Srikakulam, it was resulted that pest incidence was 11-12% in IPM plots in Kharif and 4-5% during Rabi. Whereas, the pest incidence was 30-32% in Kharifand 16-17% during Rabiinnon IPM followed fields. There was 8-10% yield increase observed and incremental cost benefit ratio was 1: 5.2. The results indicated that, following IPM against fall army worm gives efficient pest control and reduces the economic loss to the farmers.