Maize tolerance to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) leaf damage and insecticide application

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the tolerance of native maize populations of Tamaulipas to foliar damage by S. frugiperda.

Design/methodology/approach: In Güémez, Tamaulipas, in the two agricultural cycles of 2019, the foliar damage of S. frugiperda and the decrease in grain yield were evaluated in 10 populations of native corn of Tamaulipas.                           

Results: With the application of a synthetic insecticide (emamectin benzoate), minimal foliar damage by S. frugiperda was observed in the autumn winter agricultural cycle. While in the spring-summer cycle, greater foliar damage was observed, which remained at lower levels than the rest of the S. frugiperda management strategies.

Limitations on study/implications: S. frugiperda it is an important pest of maize, its control is mainly carried out with synthetic insecticides, which causes environmental and human health risks, the use of tolerant cultivars is a strategy that reduces these risks.

Findings/conclusions: In the spring-summer cycle, there was greater foliar damage, as a consequence of a higher environmental temperature compared to the autumn-winter cycle; the TML₂S₃ and VHA maize populations were tolerant to S. frugiperda foliar damage in both agricultural cycles, being considered as base germplasm to start an improvement program for this characteristic.