Influence of weather parameters on stem borer (Chilo partellus) infestation on maize

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to record effect of weather parameters on infestation of stem borer (Chilo partellus) on maize crop during Kharif 2010 of research farm Birsa Agricultural University. The maximum infestation recorded on the 33 SMW (3rd week of August 2010) with stem borer (6.9%) and dead heart (6.5%) respectively. The highest damage was received when maximum temperature was 30.8°C, minimum temperature (23.5°C), maximum relative humidity (87.1%), minimum relative humidity (76.9%), sunshine and rainfall was 41.0 hrs. and 22.7 mm respectively in the maize crop. The influence of maximum temperature revealed that it correlated highly significant and positive correlation with leaf infestation (r= 0.707**) and dead heart (r=0.700**). Maximum relative humidity showed significant and negative correlation with leaf infestation (r= -0.641*) and dead heart (r= -0.606*).