Management of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in Kharif maize with cowpea intercropping
Gaurav Singh, Maha Singh Jaglan and Tarun Verma
A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cowpea as an intercrop against maize stem borer, C. partellus at Entomological Research Area of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Uchani, Karnal during Kharif, 2017. Minimum leaf injury rating [LIR (2.48)] was recorded in treatment with intercropping of maize with cowpea (1:1) which was at par with sole maize + spray of dimethoate 30 EC @ 660 ml/ha at 7-10 days after germination (DAG) (2.62) and maize + cowpea intercrop (2:1) (3.06). Minimum plant infestation (8.1 %) and dead hearts (4.5%) were recorded in treatment with sole maize + spray of dimethoate 30EC @ 660 ml/ha at 7-10 DAG followed by maize + cowpea (1:1) (12.7 and 5.6%) whereas sole maize without spray recorded maximum plant infestation and dead hearts (38.7 and 16.2%, respectively). Highest benefit: cost ratio (1.63) was recorded in treatment with maize + cowpea (1:1) with maize yield 4227 Kg ha-1 and cowpea yield, 596 Kg ha-1.