INCIDENCE OF AND DAMAGE BY LEPIDOPTEROUS BORERS ON IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETIES IN EKPOMA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

摘要

Maize is a valuable staple food crop in Nigeria and contributes significantly to household food security. We studied the incidence and damage caused by lepidopteran borers on the improved maize varieties at Research Farm of the Ambrose Alii University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, during rainy season, 2013. Damage by the stem borers accounted for 90.90 % of the variability in the maize stand loss. At harvest, 100 % of the stands and cobs were found to be damaged by borers. Three stem borer species recorded were Eldana saccharina Walke; Sesamia calamistis Hampson and Mussidia nigrivenella Ragonot. There was no significant difference between the maize varieties in the abundance of these insects, although E. saccharina was relatively higher in numbersin each of the maize variety. Results indicate that lepidopterous borers are the major constraint to improved maize production in Ekpoma and need to develop the urgentcontrol measures.