Abuja Journal of Agriculture and Environment (AJAE)

DAMAGE OF FALL ARMYWORM (SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA JE SMITH) ON QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE VARIETIES AT SAMARU, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Author(s): M.S. Usman, R.S. Adamu, I. Onu, E. Kogi and N. Musa.
Volume/Issue: Volume 2 , Issue 1 (2022)

ABSTRACT:

Field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 wet seasons to evaluate the effect of Fall Armyworm(FAW) damage on Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties. Six treatments consisting of five QPM varieties(SAMMAZ 14, SAMMAZ 17, SAMMAZ 32, SAMMAZ 33 and SAMMAZ 36) and a non-QPM variety(SAMMAZ 34) were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Percent pest incidence and Leaf (foliar) damage ratings were determined at four weeks after emergence. Percent cob damage and Cob damage ratings were determined and rated at harvest. Grain yield was also assessed for each maize variety. The combined years result showed that SAMMAZ 36 was the most tolerant variety to Fall Armyworm damage which had the least Fall Armyworm percent incidence (30.00%), leaf damage rating (2.36), percent cob damage (21.25 %) and cob damage rating (2.60) while SAMMAZ 33 was the most susceptible variety with the highest percent cob damage (30.00 %) and cob damage rating (3.15) recorded among the QPM varieties. Furthermore, SAMMAZ 36 recorded the highest grain yield (2708.33 kg/ha) which was more than that of the non-QPM, SAMMAZ 34 (2562.50kg/ha). In conclusion, SAMMAZ 36 variety, was therefore the most tolerant variety to FAW damage.

KEYWORDS:

Fall Armyworm; Quality Protein Maize; Non-Quality Protein Maize; Damage