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Evaluation of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) infestation and efficacy of neem extracts in maize (Zea mays L.)
Abstract
Maize is an important cereal crop in Nigeria. Fall Armyworm (FAW) is one of the most important field insect pests of maize. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of FAW infestation on maize plants and efficacy of neem extracts in the management of FAW in maize in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in 2018. Field experiment was carried out from July to December 2018 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria, where two maize varieties were assessed for incidence and percentage leaf area damaged. Data collected was analyzed using Generalized Linear Model with multivariate assumptions using SPSS Version 21. Treatment means were separated with Student Newman Keuls Test (SNK) at p≤0.05. Highest number of FAW larvae (1.35±0.09) and incidence (20.30±1.02) were obtained from the control; the lowest was recorded from plants treated with Lambdacyhalothrin (0.05±0.06), followed by Neem oil (0.10± 0.05). Neem extracts reduced foliar damage to maize compared to the untreated control. Non-treated control plants showed extensive leaf injury compared to the synthetic insecticide and neem extract treated plants. There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) between the two maize varieties and interaction effect of variety and treatments in terms of the parameters scored. Findings from this study shows the efficacy of neem extracts in the treatment of Fall Armyworm infesting maize on the field and recommends the use of the neem extracts as an eco-friendly insecticide option for control of Fall Armyworm infestation in Nigeria.
