Management alternatives for Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in corn (Zea mays L.) crops

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is the third most important crop worldwide, which is used for human and animal feed, due to its wide adaptation to ecological and environmental conditions, as well as its high nutritional and industrial value. The objective of this research was to evaluate management alternatives for Spodoptera frugiperda and its influence on yield and profitability in corn cultivation. The research was carried out in the El Cedral community, department of Chontales, Nicaragua; a randomized complete block design with three replications was used, applying eight treatments: Beauveria bassiana, with three doses (1, 5 and 10 g l^-1), Capsicum annuum [chili] and Allium sativum [garlic]), with three doses (1, 5 and 10 ml l^-1), a chemical control (cypermethrin with a dose of 0.70 ml l^-1) and an absolute control (H₂O); Six applications were made, from 11 to 46 days after sowing. Plant height (cm) and plant damage, total, dead and live larvae, mortality and incidence of Spodoptera frugiperda, yield (kg ha^-1), as well as an economic analysis were evaluated. Prior to the variance analysis, the data were transformed (log 10) and the means were separated with Tukey at a 5% margin of error. The chemical treatment and absolute control showed the greatest damage to leaf tissue, total and live larvae, as well as the lowest mortality and yield. The highest mortality and lowest incidence corresponded to treatment one Beauveria bassiana (1 g l^-1). The best return rate corresponded to the treatments based on Capsicum annuum [chili] and Allium sativum [garlic]) with doses of 5 and 10 ml l^-1, respectively.