Effects of weeding processes on the population of corn pests
2019
Parakikay, T.P. | Lit, I.L., Jr | Caasi-Lit, M.T. | Barrion-Dupo, A.L.A. | Abenis, K.O. | Panabang, B.B. | Laude, R.A.P.
Corn or maize is the second most important crop in the Philippines. Two main factors that reduce corn crop yield are insect pests and weeds. Weeds also include what are generally considered as alternate hosts of insect pests. Along this line, knowledge of weeds as alternate host of pests is also important in integrated pest management. We aimed to determine the effects of weeding practices on the population of pests and other arthropods associated with corn. A susceptible traditional open-pollinated white corn variety, IPB Var 6, was used with two treatments, namely: (1) regulated weeding, or weeding during the early vegetative and at 30-40 days after planting, and (2) unweeded plots, each with three replications. Insects and other arthropods were visually counted (non-destructive sampling) on selected plants at the inner rows. There were more major pests among weeded plots. Arthropods observed were predominantly pest species, and among the major pests, the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), was the most recorded species. T-test showed no significant difference between the treatments (p-value= 0.93), probably because the available area cannot accommodate an experimental design that considers interplot migration of insects.
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