HAZARD FOR FALL ARMYWORM (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) INFESTATION OF MAIZE IN DOUBLE-CROPPING SYSTEMS USING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Field tests demonstrated that selected sustainable agricultural practi ces influence intensity of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), infestations of late planted maize, Zea mays, in double cropping systems. Reduced FAW infestations of seedling maize were ass ociated with no-tillage as compared with plow-tillage practice. Maize in no-tillage plots required one less chlorpyrifos [0.56 kg (AI/ha] sp ray than in plow-tillage based on a 50% action threshold. Surface debr is of winter cover crops influenced lags of FAW infestation on no-till age maize. Surface residues from previous cover crops may account for the reduced infestations in no-tillage areas. Infestations among plots became similar as plants grew from within the mulch cover. Use of pou ltry manure as a soil amendment had no effect on FAW damage, but a ten dency for increased yields was observed in poultry manure plots. Chlor pyrifos significantly reduced FAW feeding resulting in increased whole plant dry weight yield in treated plots.