Corn-neem soil mulch and application of neem extracts for the management of Spodoptera Frugiperda, in corn (Zea mays) in Pechiche, Los Ríos, Ecuador

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the soil cover with corn-neem biomass for the management of Spodoptera frugiperda, in corn, hybrid INIAP H601, in Pechiche, Los Ríos, Ecuador.

Design/methodology/approach: Two treatments were evaluated: one with corn-neem soil cover at 2.0 tn.ha^-1 before sowing plus two foliar applications at 10 and 20 days after sowing, and a control without coverage in a completely randomized design, the variables evaluated were the percentage of corn plants with damage between grades one and three, and between grades four and five at 30 days after planting, the Leaf Area Index (LAI) and agricultural yield.

Results: Under field conditions, it was shown that in both treatments no significant differences were found in the damages with degrees between one and three with 69.0% of affectation, and yes for the damages with degrees between four and five with 31.0 % in the control and 15.0% in coverage, also with higher IAF and yield as dry grain. There was a linear but inverse relationship between affected plants with grades between 4 and 5 with respect to LAI and yield.

Limitations/implications: The availability of neem tree biomass may be a limitation if this technology is to be applied to larger land areas.

Findings/conclusions: It was concluded that soil cover with maize-neem plus a foliar application decreased the incidence of Spodoptera frugiperda and increased LAI and agricultural yield.