Maize farmers in Solan face devastating impact of Fall Army Worm
The infestation of Fall Army Worm insects in maize crops is causing significant distress for maize growers in the region. These insects are harming the growth of the plants, leading to their gradual death and potential financial losses amounting to crores of rupees for the farmers.
In Solan district, maize is cultivated on about 23,500 hectares of land, yielding approximately 58,750 metric tons of production. However, the pest infestation has already affected around 4,750 hectares of maize crops, with 10 to 15 percent of plants infested in localized patches.
Senior Official of the agriculture department in Solan, noted that the excessive use of nitrogen reduces the plants’ immunity, making them more vulnerable to diseases and pests. To combat the infestation, farmers are advised to conduct regular surveys of their crops and take strict measures if more than 5 percent of the plants are affected. These measures include filling the topmost leaves and middle ring of the affected plants with soil, sand, ash, or water to kill the caterpillars.
Additionally, farmers are encouraged to install light traps and pheromone traps, use organic pesticides like BT, neem-based pesticides, and fungus-based pesticides such as Metarhizium. To increase the number of natural parasites in the maize crop, farmers should release laboratory-prepared parasite eggs.
If these measures fail to control the infestation, chemical solutions such as spinosad, chlorantraniliprole, amabectine benzoate, thiodicarb, flubendamide, or thiamethoxone$Lambda cyhalothrin can be used.
Agri official have emphasized the importance of not leaving the remains of affected plants in the field to protect the next crop and recommended planting pulses like urad and lobia alongside maize to reduce pest infestation and provide nitrogen to the maize crop. Planting 3-4 lines of Napier grass around the maize crop as a trap crop can also help in controlling the Fall Army Worm population.
By implementing these strategies, maize farmers in Solan district can better protect their crops from the devastating impact of Fall Army Worms.
