Yield Losses Caused by Lepidopteran Pest Complex Infesting Maize in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. However, it is affected by various lepidopteran pests throughout its growth cycle, leading to severe infestations and significant yield losses each year. Methodology: A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the yield losses caused by different lepidopteran pests in maize during kharif 2022 and 2023 in Palampur. The experiment was laid out employing paired plot technique where one plot was treated with insecticide emamectin benzoate 5 SG and the other was left untreated. Results: The higher per cent infestation was recorded during 2023 (20.63%) than 2022 (12.25%). The grain yield in protected plots were 37.33 q/ha and 43.24 q/ha during 2022 and 2023, respectively as compared to 33.36 q/ha during 2022 and 37.88 q/ha during 2023 in unprotected plots resulting in yield losses to the tune of 10.62 and 12.40 per cent during 2022 and 2023, respectively. Conclusion: The study showed higher infestation and yield loss in 2023 than 2022 with peak incidence at the vegetative stage, underscoring the need for regular monitoring and effective IPM practices to manage pests and sustain maize yield.