Influence of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilization on Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) Infestations and Agronomic Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Fall armyworm (FAW), still remains an important pest of many agricultural crops including maize. There is the need to use environmentally friendly approaches to address this current menace. Field experiment was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications, using eight different fertilization regimes to evaluate eight different fertilization regimes on the larval abundance and damage incidence of FAW, its impact on maize yield in the Savanna ecology of Ghana. The economic viability of the treatments on maize production was also assessed. Fertilization significantly influenced FAW larval abundance and damage incidence. Unfertilized plot recorded significantly lower larval numbers and damage incidence compared to fertilizer treatments. Among the fertilization regimes, UNIK 15 (NPK 15:15:15)-Amidas (AMI) and Actyva (ACT)-sulfan (SUL) recorded significantly higher larval abundance and damage incidence whilst the least were recorded from CLB-CLB (CropLift Bio) and UNIK 15-Sulphate of ammonia (SOA) + insecticide spray (IS). Among the fertilization regimes, CLB-CLB recorded significantly lower grain yield, with UNIK 15-URE (Urea) and ACT-AMI yielding the highest. All the fertilization regimes yielded more profit compared to the unfertilized plots, among the fertilization regimes, CLB-CLB yielded lowest profit and cost-benefit ratio, whilst the highest profit and cost-benefit ratio was obtained from UNIK 15-URE. Application of UNIK 15-URE or ACT-AMI is recommended for better management of FAW, maximized yield, as well as higher profit.