Influence of macro and micro nutrients on the incidence of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda infesting maize hybrids

Abstract

A research study was conducted on the role of nutritional components in inducing resistance against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize. Nutrition encompasses the essential compounds required by organisms to support growth, maintain tissues, facilitate reproduction, and sustain vital functions. These elements also play a role in determining an organism's vulnerability or resistance to pests. Nine elements were analysed to know their resistance mechanism. The nutrient components like nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium and sulphur may influence the attack of fall armyworm with greater damage, whereas, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese and iron may induce resistance against fall armyworm. Among the nutrients analysed in highly susceptible hybrids viz., JHS 666, MAH 21-577 and ADV 9293, the macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium and sulphur were found in higher amounts and nitrogen (r = 0.941**), phosphorous (r = 0.901**), magnesium (r = 0.874**) and sulphur (r = 0.799*) showed positive correlation with the incidence of fall armyworm. In contrast, potassium and calcium were found higher in least susceptible hybrids viz., JP 2007, MAH 20-40 and PAC 741 where potassium (r = -0.810**) and calcium (r = -0.837*) showed negative correlation with the incidence of fall armyworm. The micronutrients like zinc, manganese and iron were higher in least susceptible hybrids viz., JP 2007, MAH 20-40 and PAC 741 where zinc (r = -0.774**), manganese (r = -0.845**) and iron (r = -0.831**) showed negative correlation with the incidence of fall armyworm.