Effect of Silicon and Biostimulant on Fall Armyworm Infestation in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In the Virudhunagar district's Thoppur village from rabi 2021–22, a field trial was carried out to examine the impact of silicon sources and growth regulator on the harm caused by maize fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Basal soil application of calcium silicate at six different doses and foliar applications of silicic acid, gibberellic acid and potassium silicate in maize crop revealed that basal application of 150 kg of calcium silicate/ha + 0.2% silicic acid @ 15 DAS + 50 ppm GA @ 30 DAS was found to be effective in reducing leaf damage (42.88% per plant), whorl damage (36.05% per plot) and cob damage (26.92% per plot), followed by treatment with 75 kg of calcium silicate/ha + 0.2% silicic acid @ 15 DAS + 50 ppm GA @ 30 DAS with leaf, whorl and cob damage of 44.74% per plant, 39.24% per plot and 26.92% per plot respectively. The treatment with a basal application of 150 kg of calcium silicate/ha + 0.2% SA @ 15 DAS + 50 ppm GA @ 30 DAS produced the highest yield (7, 287 kg/ha), which was followed by the treatment with 75 kg of calcium silicate + 0.2% SA @ 15 DAS + 50 ppm GA @ 30 DAS (7, 092 kg/ha). As a result, in the current research, the basal application of calcium silicate 150 kg/ha along with foliar application of silicic acid (0.2%) and gibberellic acid (50 ppm) at 15 and 30 DAS decreased the level of leaf, whorl, and cob damage caused by fall armyworm on maize at the field condition.