Assessment of myco-insecticidal combinations against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize

Abstract

During the Kharif season of 2024-2025, research on controlling fall armyworm in maize using entomopathogenic fungi was conducted at the Wheat and Maize Research Unit of VNMKV, Parbhani. Field trials assessing the efficacy of various biopesticides against fall armyworm in maize revealed that Metarhizium rileyi was the most effective, showing the lowest larval count and least plant damage. Its performance was comparable to the combination of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana. In contrast, the treatment combining Lecanicillium lacani and Beauveria bassiana was the least effective, exhibiting the highest larval population. Other formulations, including combinations like Lecanicillium lacani + Beauveria bassiana + Metarhizium rileyi + Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium rileyi + Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium rileyi + Lecanicillium lacani, and Metarhizium rileyi + Lecanicillium lacani + Beauveria bassiana, also performed better than the untreated control. The highest maize grain yield was obtained from plots treated with Metarhizium rileyi,