Effect planting dates and varieties on infestation of maize stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

Studies on the effect of different planting dates and varieties of maize on the infestation of maize stem borer (Chilo partellus) were carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in  2010/11 and 2011/12. Three maize varieties namely namely Arun-2, Rampur Composite and Gaurav (hybrid) were grown at weekly interval upto 52 weeks from January to December. The results revealed that the damage was higher in Arun-2 (38.9%) followed by Gaurav (35.4%) and Rampur Composite (30.8%) respectively. Higher damage was observed in April (58.2%) and the damage was gradually decreased toward the month of January/February (13.2 to 25.6%) and November/December (13.3 to 16.5%). Lower infestation was observed in winter season (22.5%) followed by spring (47.1%) and summer season (47.0%) respectively. This study suggests that the percent infestation of maize stem borer can be minimized by planting Rampur Composite variety in winter season.