Bio-efficacy of Biopesticides Evaluated against Corn Leaf Aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) Infesting Maize
R. H. Parmar *
Department of Entomology, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, India.
M. R. Dabhi
Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Jabugam, Anand, India.
H. C. Patel
Department of Agricultural Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India.
A. D. Kalola
Department of Agricultural Statistics, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Maize (Zea mays L.), is a member of the Poaceae family. After rice and wheat, it is the third-most significant cereal in India, making up around 9% of the country's total food consumption.
Aims: For effective and eco-friendly pest management approach against maize aphid is the necessity of present time to safeguard the natural enemies and pollinators as well as human health.
Study design: Randomized block design
Place and Duration of Study: Entomology farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during rabi 2021-22
Methodology: Field experiment was carried out in an area of 4.8×6.0 m2 on maize var GAYMH-3. There were in all eight treatments including untreated control plots and each treatment were replicated thrice. The first spray of respective bio-pesticides was given at the time of occurrence of aphid and second spray was applied after 15 days of first spray. Number of nymphs/adults were recorded from centre of shoot, inflorescence (tassel) and cob of randomly selected ten plants from each plot before spray and 1,3, 7 and 10 day(s) after first and second spray applications.
Results:
Among the seven biopesticides studied against corn leaf aphid, on tassel Lecanicillium lecanii 1.15% WP conclude most effective followed by Metarhizium anisopliae 1.15% WP and Beauveria bassiana 5% WP and similarly, on cob L. lecanii 1.15% WP found most effective followed by M. anisopliae 1.15% WP and B. bassiana 5% WP. Further, Plot treated with L. lecanii 1.15% WP, M. anisopliae 1.15% WP and B. bassiana 5% WP gave highest grain yield 5523, 5503, 5462 kg/ha, green fodder yield 7491, 7443 and 7244 kg/ha, dry fodder yield 5977, 5921 and 5705 kg/ha, respectively. For natural enemies; neem oil 1% and neem seed kernel extract 5% found less toxic compared to other treated bio-pesticides to LBB adults on tassel and on cob. Looking to grub, neem seed kernel extract 5%, azadirachtin 0.15% EC and garlic bulb extract 5% noticed less toxic to grubs on tassel and cob.
Conclusion: Among the tested biopesticides on aphids the best result in controlling the aphid population were obtained with the treatment of L. lecanii, M. anisopliae and B. bassiana.
Keywords: Maize aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, corn leaf aphid, biopesticide