Ajam, A.L.; Karungi, J.; Ogwal, G.; Adumo, S.A.; Paparu, P.; Otim, M.H. Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize Fields in Uganda. Insects2024, 15, 301.
Ajam, A.L.; Karungi, J.; Ogwal, G.; Adumo, S.A.; Paparu, P.; Otim, M.H. Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize Fields in Uganda. Insects 2024, 15, 301.
Ajam, A.L.; Karungi, J.; Ogwal, G.; Adumo, S.A.; Paparu, P.; Otim, M.H. Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize Fields in Uganda. Insects2024, 15, 301.
Ajam, A.L.; Karungi, J.; Ogwal, G.; Adumo, S.A.; Paparu, P.; Otim, M.H. Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize Fields in Uganda. Insects 2024, 15, 301.
Abstract
Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) commonly known as fall armyworm was first detected in Uganda in 2016 and has spread to all the maize-growing districts. Different methods have been deployed to control this pest. However, there is a limited understanding of the role of the environment and farmers' practices on the incidence and damage by S. frugiperda in Uganda. This study, therefore, assessed the abundance of S. frugiperda and leaf damage levels in three different districts and explored the association between agronomic practices, crop phenology and weather parameters on S. frugiperda damage and abundance in smallholder farmers’ maize fields using a longitudinal monitoring survey in 69 farmers’ fields of Kole, Kiryandongo and Nakaseke for three seasons. Leaf damage and incidence of damaged plants differed significantly between locations and seasons. Leaf damage and abundance of larvae varied significantly in the different growth stages. Conservation tillage resulted in reduced leaf damage. No significant relationship was observed between pesticide or fertilizer use with S. frugiperda leaf damage. There were non-significant negative relationships between leaf damage and rainfall. Timely and vigilant scouting, proper timing of control measures, minimum tillage practices, and crop diversity should be included in an IPM strategy for S. frugiperda.
Keywords
cropping system; pesticide use; rainfall; temperature; tillage system
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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