Corn-neem soil cover and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) extract application for the Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) management in corn (Zea mays, L)

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the soil cover with corn-neem biomass for the Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) management in the INIAP H601 corn hybrid, at Pechiche, Los Ríos, Ecuador.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Two treatments were evaluated: 1) a treatment using corn-neem soil cover at 2.0 t ha^-1 before sowing, plus two foliar applications, 10 and 20 days after sowing; 2) a control treatment without soil cover, in a completely randomized design. The variables evaluated were the percentage of corn plants with 1^st to 3^rd degree damage and 4^th to 5^th degree damage (30 days after sowing), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and agricultural yield.

Results: Under field conditions, both treatments had no significative differences in the 1^st to 3^rd degrees damages (69.0% impact). However, there were significative differences in the 4^th to 5^th degree damages (31.0 %) in the control and the soil cover (15.0 %). Additionally, LAI and dry grain yield were higher. There was a linear but inverse relationship regarding LAI and yield in plants with 4^th to 5^th degree damage.

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

Findings/Conclusions: Corn-neem soil cover plus a foliar application decreased the Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) impact and increased LAI and agricultural yield.