Evaluation of Biocontrol Methods and IPM Modules for Management of Fall Armyworm in Maize

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious, voracious and invasive pest that has caused significant yield losses in maize since its first report in Andhra Pradesh during August 2018. Biological control and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches offer sustainable solutions for the management of fall armyworm (FAW) in maize.An ad hoc trial was initiated under ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru during 2018–19 to 2020–21 at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the efficacy of egg parasitoids (Trichogramma pretiosum and T. chilonis) and biopesticides in comparison with the insecticidal check, emamectin benzoate against maize FAW. Further studies were carried out during 2020-21 and 2021-22 to evaluate IPM modules for FAW management. Among the treatments, next to emamectin benzoate, the biocontrol-based approach involving the field release of T. pretiosum twice, combined with three sprayings of Bacillus thuringiensis (NBAIR Bt 25), or T. pretiosum release combined with Metarhizium anisopliae (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-35) sprayings, proved effective with lower FAW damage, higher larval mortality, and higher cob yield. Similar efficacy of biocontrol agents and biopesticides was also observed in maize sown with insecticide-treated seed. The biocontrol-based IPM module comprising three releases of T. chilonis along with three sprayings of either NBAIR Bt 25 or NBAIR Ma-35 provided a viable, eco-friendly alternative to sole chemical control of FAW in maize.