Effect of Maize Planting Dates and Maize Hybrids on The Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Populations.

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) is considered one of the most important and most dangerous insect pests that attack maize with great losses in the past few years. With its first appearance in Qotour Center at Gharbia Governorate, northern Egypt during 2021 and 2022 seasons, it was found that the infestation rate is affected by the type of maize hybrid (White hybrid 321, Hybrid yellow 368). The planting dates (mid-May, early June and mid-June) also affected on its population. The mid-May plantation date recorded the lower infestation rate than other planting dates. The highest population density in both hybrids was recorded in the first June and mid-June. Significant differences were found between the two hybrids in the first and mid-June. The average incidence was ranged from 29.7 ± 7.2 to 67.2 ± 9.3, the highest number recorded on 321 hybrids in midJune cultivated. At the end of August and the beginning of September, an outbreak of armyworm populations occurred on all plantation dates.