*4.5.2.1 Major insect-pests and diseases*

**Maize stem borer**: This insect (**Figure 8**) attacks the maize crop mainly cultivated during monsoon season. After hatching, larvae enter the stem by scraping followed by boring through whorl. Following strategies can be followed for prevention and protection of crop:


**Shoot fly:** Although it is major pest in Southern India but it may infest the maize crop sown in spring season in Northern India. Mainly it attacks the seedling stage of crop (**Figure 9**) where maggots move down to the basal portion through leaf sheath followed by cutting of growing point resulting in dead hearts. Control measures can be as follow:


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**Figure 8.**

**Figure 9.**

*Damage of maize crop by maize stem borer.*

protection strateges can be as follow:

• Physical destruction of large caterpillars [2, 3].

recognized from the presence of dusty webs [7, 8].

attacked plant parts.

*Attack of shoot fly in maize crop.*

*Improved Technologies for Higher Maize Production DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88997*

**Hairy caterpillar**: This pest becomes a serious concern when attacks in epidemic form. They damage the crop by feeding on leaves and soft stem, from gregarious (during younger stage) to distant migration (grown up stage). Prevention and

• Collection and destruction of young larvae by cutting and burying the

**Mite:** The attack of mite is serious in June on the young crop or in September– October when the crop is nearing maturity. The affected leaves turn pale and can be *Improved Technologies for Higher Maize Production DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88997*

*Maize - Production and Use*

source.

diseases [13].

*4.5.2 Biological pest management*

should not be applied on rainy days [8, 11].

*4.5.2.1 Major insect-pests and diseases*

tion and protection of crop:

• Summer plowing of field.

• **Cultural control**: Deep summer plowing helps in destroying resting stage of pests. Inter-cropping with legume reduces borer incidence. Use of well decom-

• **Genetic management**: Use of good quality planting material from reliable

• **Mechanical control**: Cutting and destroying infected plants which ceases

• **Chemical control**: use of synthetic chemicals for the control of insect-pest and

This approach encompasses use of living entities for the control of insect-pests and diseases. Living entities can be predators, herbivores or parasites along with intensive human interference. For controlling maize borer and other insects, apply bio-insecticides like Neemazal (1%) @ 300 ml/ha. The maize borer can also be managed by using tricho-cards twice having 40,000 eggs of Corcyra parasitized by *Trichogramma chilonis*. Make first release on 10 days old crop and second 1 week after first release. Cut tricho-cards into 40 equal strips and staple them uniformly on the underside of the central whorl leaves in evening hours. The tricho-cards

**Maize stem borer**: This insect (**Figure 8**) attacks the maize crop mainly cultivated during monsoon season. After hatching, larvae enter the stem by scraping followed by boring through whorl. Following strategies can be followed for preven-

• Spray the crop 2–3 weeks after sowing as soon as borer injury to the leaves is noticed with Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole) @ 75 ml using 150 L water/

**Shoot fly:** Although it is major pest in Southern India but it may infest the maize crop sown in spring season in Northern India. Mainly it attacks the seedling stage of crop (**Figure 9**) where maggots move down to the basal portion through leaf sheath followed by cutting of growing point resulting in dead hearts. Control measures can

• Seed should be treated with gaucho (imidacloprid) 600 FS @ 6 ml/kg seed [7].

• Spring crop should be sown between January 20 and February 15.

• Destruction of perennating stages in stubbles, cobs, stalks.

• Cut and bury the severely infested plant parts.

ha with knap-sack sprayer [7, 8, 11].

further spread. Use of pheromone traps. Set up of light traps.

posed farm yard manure termite attack. Balanced use of fertilizers.

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be as follow:

**Figure 8.** *Damage of maize crop by maize stem borer.*

**Figure 9.** *Attack of shoot fly in maize crop.*

**Hairy caterpillar**: This pest becomes a serious concern when attacks in epidemic form. They damage the crop by feeding on leaves and soft stem, from gregarious (during younger stage) to distant migration (grown up stage). Prevention and protection strateges can be as follow:


**Mite:** The attack of mite is serious in June on the young crop or in September– October when the crop is nearing maturity. The affected leaves turn pale and can be recognized from the presence of dusty webs [7, 8].
