BIOPESTICIDAL EFFECTS OF NEEM LEAF EXTRACT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FALL ARMYWORM (Spodoptera frugiperda) ON MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize is one of the important cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and an important staple food for more than 1.2 billion people in (SSA) and Latin America. Inspite of this, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of Neem Extract in the control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on some maize varieties such as Sammaz 15, Rido 9, Sammaz 34, Kapan 6, Oba 98, and Oba super 6. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Six varieties of maize were evaluated in Minna, Nigeria during 2021 cropping season. Growth and yield parameter were recorded. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. Results revealed that the effect of Neem Extract varied among the six maize varieties in control of fall armyworm. Sammaz 34, Sammaz 15, and Oba 98 were superior in most of growth and yield parameter. These three varieties could be adopted for breeding for high yield and tolerant to fall armyworm in the study area.