Abstract:Influence of intercrops and trap crops on incidence of fall armyworm (
Spodoptera frugiperda), (intercrops and trap crops) in maize crop was evaluated by carrying out field experiments during
kharif 2019 and 2020 at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad. Different maize based inter crops were planted in 1:1 ratio, by following Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eleven treatments replicated thrice. The popular maize hybrid, NK-6240 was sown in plot size of 5 × 4m at a spacing of 60 × 20 cm for each treatment.
The intercrops and trap crops assessment against FAW in field that the egg masses, larval population, defoliation and pest infestation were recorded maximum in case of Napier grass (trap crop) as border crop with maize intercropped with cowpea, French bean in which maize as main crop. Whereas, in the treatments such as maize intercropped with sweet corn, maize with maize as boarder crop (15 days after sowing) and maize as boarder crop (30 days after sowing) were recorded higher of egg masses, larval population, defoliation, pest infestation and cob damage. The maximum number of natural enemies were recorded in the treatment in maize intercropped with cowpea along with Napier grass as border crop. Whereas, none of egg masses, larval population, defoliation, pest infestation, cob damage and natural enemies in the treatments such as maize intercropped with cowpea, maize intercropped with French bean, maize intercropped with soybean and maize intercropped with groundnut.