Integrated management strategies for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize: an on-farm assessment in the North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh

On-farm trials (OFT) on assessment of IPM module against fall army worm (FAW) in maize were conducted in farmers’ fields of Visakhapatnam district of North Coastal Zone in Andhra Pradesh during Rabi, 2021-2022 & 2022-23 by District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre (DAATTC), Visakhapatnam, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh. The IPM module including practices viz., seed treatment with cyantraniliprole + thiamethoxam (Fortenza Due) @ 6 ml/kg seed before sowing; installation of pheromone traps @ 25/ac; field release of Trichogramma chilonis @ 100000/ha at 15 days after sowing (DAS) for two times at weekly interval; spray of neem formulation (azadirachtin 1500 ppm) @ 5ml/L in whorls at 25 DAS and whorl application of poison bait with thiodicarb at 30-35DAS and spray of chlorantraniliprole 185SC @ 0.4ml/L at 50-55 DAS significantly reduced FAW infestation to 8.10% resulting in80.17per centreduction in pest incidence compared to the farmers’ practice (40.35%).Additionally, the IPM module recorded a 15.10% increase in grain yield (72.41 q/ha) over the farmers’ practice (62.91 q/ha)with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.43. While the biocontrol module including seed treatment with cyantraniliprole + thiamethoxam @ 6ml /kg seed at sowing, field release of T.chilonis(50,000/ac) at 15 days after sowing (DAS) for two times at weekly interval and spray of Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma 35) @ 5g/L in the leaf whorls at 30,40 & 50 DAS for 3 times also effectively reduced the incidence of FAW (13.09%) to an extent of 61.35 per cent and recorded 8.96 per cent increase in grain yield (68.55q/ha) compared to the farmers’ practice and achieved a BCR of 1.36. These results clearly demonstrate that both IPM and biocontrol modules are effective in managing FAW in maize, with the IPM module showing superior pest suppression and yield enhancement. However, the biocontrol module offers an eco-friendly alternative with reasonably high efficacy and profitability, highlighting its potential for sustainable pest management in maize ecosystems.