Army Worm Attack on Maize Crop: Control Measures
Maize, being one of the most important cereal crops, suffers from various biotic and abiotic stresses. Armyworm attack on maize crop is among the serious insect pest problems faced by maize growers worldwide. In order to safeguard the maize crop, it is essential to adopt proper control measures to prevent armyworm damage from causing extensive loss of maize yield. In this article, we will discuss the armyworm attack on maize crop and the measures to control it effectively.
What is the Armyworm Attack?
The armyworm is a small, greenish-brown striped species of moth that can cause extensive damage to maize crops. This pest gets its name because it appears as though an army of worms is moving across fields, consuming everything in its path. The attack of armyworms leads to severe leaf damage, defoliation of entire plants, and may cause yield losses of up to 100%.
Preventive Measures Against Armyworm Attack
Preventative measures are essential to avoid the attack of armyworms. The following are some of the preventive measures that can limit the damage caused by armyworms on maize crops:
1. Early Detection and Monitoring: Farmers should keep a close eye on their crops and check for any signs of an armyworm infestation. This includes checking for the presence of larvae and adult moths.
2. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is an effective way of suppressing armyworm populations. Farmers should plant maize after a crop that is not attractive to armyworms.
3. Remove Weeds: Armyworms feed on weeds and other non-crop plants. Removal of weeds from the field, especially before planting the maize crop, can limit the damage from armyworms.
4. Trap Crops: Farmers can plant trap crops, which are less valuable crops that armyworms prefer to feed on instead of maize.
5. Use Resistant Varieties: Planting varieties that are less attractive to armyworms is an effective way of preventing damage to maize. Therefore, farmers should plant maize varieties that have been bred for resistance against armyworm.
Control Measures Against Army Worm Attack
When preventive measures are not enough to control armyworms, it is essential to take immediate control measures to avoid massive yield loss. Here are some of the most common methods of controlling armyworms:
1. Chemical Control: Insecticides that are specifically designed to kill armyworms should be used. These products should be applied during the early stages of infestation to limit the damage caused by armyworms on maize crops.
2. Natural Control: Farmers can also adopt the use of natural predators like parasitoid wasps, birds, and predatory insects to reduce the population of armyworms.
3. Biological Control: Farmers can release safe and effective biological agents like Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana, which are microorganisms that can control armyworms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, armyworm attack is a severe threat to the maize crop and can cause significant losses to farmers. Therefore, preventive and control measures should be put in place to avoid the attack of armyworms. Early detection, crop rotation, removal of weeds, planting of trap crops, use of resistant varieties, and application of chemical, natural and biological control measures are some of the most effective ways to control armyworms. Adopting these measures will protect the crop from severe damage and result in increased maize yield.