Plant Selection for the Establishment of Push–Pull Strategies for Zea mays–Spodoptera frugiperda Pathosystem in Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Regulations imposed on the use of chemical insecticides call for the development of environmental-friendly pest management strategies. One of the most effective strategies is the push–pull system, which takes advantage of the behavioral response of the insect to the integration of repellent stimuli; it expels the pest out of the main crop (push), while attracting stimuli (attractants) pull the pest to an alternative crop or trap (pull). The objective of this study was to design a push–pull system to control Spodoptera frugiperda in maize crops (Zea mays) in Morelos, Mexico. Data on reproductive potential, larvae development, food consumption and olfactometry were used to obtain a Trap Plant Selection Index (TRAPS) based on Principal Component Analysis. This TRAPS was used to select the most suitable plants. The degree of repellency of potential plants to be used as the trap crop was studied with four-way olfactometers. S. frugiperda females oviposited more eggs on Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa and Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania than on Z. mays, regardless of the fact that these plants delayed the development of their offspring. Dysphania ambrosioides, Tagetes erecta and Crotalaria juncea were less attractive to S. frugiperda females. Therefore, the former plants could be used as crop traps, and the latter as intercropped repellent plants in a push–pull system.

Effectiveness of Push–Pull Systems to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Management in Maize Crops in Morelos, Mexico

“…In this study, the field effectiveness of the Push–Pull systems proposed by Guera et al [ 16 ] for S . frugiperda management in maize crops in the state of Morelos, Mexico, was evaluated.…”

“… Source: Guera et al [ 16 ]; ¥ trap plants established at a distance around the main crop; * plants intercropped in the main crop. …”

“…The success of the Push–Pull system depends on the components (attractants and repellents) of the system that vary depending on the pathosystem, environmental factors, and the biotic and abiotic resources available in a certain region. For this reason, for the Zea mays — Spodoptera frugiperda pathosystem, in which Push–Pull has been shown to be efficient in Africa [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], studies were recently carried out with local and/or naturalized species [ 16 ]. The results of this study indicate that Brachiaria hybrid cv Mulato II , Panicum maximum cv Mombasa , Panicum maximum cv Tanzania could be suitable trap plants and Dysphania ambrosioides , Tagetes erecta and Crotalaria juncea suitable intercrops in Push–Pull systems for S .…”

Monocrotaline presence in the Crotalaria (Fabaceae) plant genus and its influence on arthropods in agroecosystems

“…In this context, Crotalaria plants can be used in push-pull systems, as in the study conducted by Guera et al (2020), who associated C. juncea with corn. As a result, the authors observed that when in intercrop, C. juncea made corn less attractive to fall S. frugiperda (Smith & Abbot, 1797), under laboratory and greenhouse conditions.…”

Ecological Chemistry of Pest Control in Push-Pull Intercropping Systems: What We Know, and Where to Go?

“…[13,17] Many of the most problematic agricultural pests are broadly distributed along with the crops they feed on. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda may cause severe damage to maize fields in Mexico (where it is native), as well as in Kenya or Uganda, [40,41] and has spread across the African continent from north to south, and east to west; [42] as has the Asian spotted stemborer Chilo partellus. [43] Cotesia sesamiae wasps, which parasitize several stemborer species, are reported to have similarly wide distributions as their hosts across sub-Saharan Africa.…”