Bio-efficacy of Biopesticides against Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), in Rabi Maize
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), causes substantial leaf damage in maize, but comparative field evidence on biopesticide performance during the Rabi season remains limited. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhule, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra), to evaluate the bio-efficacy of biopesticides against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), in maize (Zea mays L., hybrid Harlal 7272). The experiment, laid out in a randomised block design with seven treatments and three replications, comprised Super Biomix @ 10 ml/L, Lecanicillium lecanii 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L, Beauveria bassiana 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L, Metarhizium anisopliae 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L, Metarhizium rileyi 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L, Azadirachtin (10,000 ppm) @ 2 ml/L and an untreated control, and two sprays were applied at a 15-day interval. On the basis of the cumulative mean across both sprays, Metarhizium rileyi 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L was the most effective treatment, recording the lowest Davis scale leaf damage rating (2.46), the lowest per cent leaf damage (19.47%) and the lowest larval population (0.86 larvae/plant), and was statistically at par with Metarhizium anisopliae 1.15% WP @ 5 g/L (2.49, 20.30% and 0.94 larvae/plant, respectively), as against 4.08, 37.57% and 1.77 larvae/plant recorded in the untreated control. Five of the six biopesticide treatments significantly increased grain yield compared with the control, with M. rileyi recording the highest yield (55.80 q/ha), the highest net monetary return (Rs. 35,375/ha) and the highest incremental cost-benefit ratio (1:7.1), followed by M. anisopliae (54.35 q/ha; ICBR 1:6.4). The results suggest that entomopathogenic fungal biopesticides, particularly M. rileyi and M. anisopliae, can be recommended as effective, economical and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the management of fall armyworm in Rabi maize.
Source: UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
Institution: Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225009414