Brown, E.S. and Mohamed, A.K.A. (1972) The relation between simulated armyworm damage and crop-loss in maize and sorghum. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 37 (3). pp. 237-257.
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Abstract
An account is given of experiments with maize and sorghum, growing in Kenya and Uganda, respectively, in which varying amounts of defoliation were related to resulting crop loss and to other effects upon the growth of the plants. The defoliation was intended to simulate damage by Spodoptera exempta Wlk.; the objective was to obtain data from which the extent of crop loss to be expected from varying intensities of armyworm attack could be predicted and thus the advisability assessed of carrying out control with economic advantage.The experiments showed that, especially under favourable environmental conditions, regeneration after defoliation of both maize and sorghum in the earliest stages of growth treated can be virtually complete. In general, it is concluded that, when defoliation affects leaves only and takes place very early in the growth of the plant (up to the five-leaf stage in maize) crop loss is negligible; it becomes more important the later the stage of growth at which it occurs, and when the stem is also damaged crop loss is always severe; the loss is complete when damage occurs at later growth stages. In sorghum, owing to tillering, the effects of defoliating the primary stem are less important; destruction of the primary stem itself results in crop loss that is severe, although less so than in the corresponding maize treatment, and a crop, although greatly reduced, is produced even when it is destroyed at the latest stage of treatment. The curious behaviour of the primary meristem in maize and its effect on the results of destruction of the stem at different stages are described.Differences between defoliation as effected experimentally and as brought about by armyworm attack are discussed. Sustained attack and destruction of foliage by armyworms may ultimately render the damage more serious. Certain side-effects of armyworm attack, such as the fertiliser-effect of their droppings and their possible poisoning action when ingested by cattle in pastures, are also discussed
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization, Muguga, P.O. Box 30148, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Subjects: | Plant Protection |
| Divisions: | Maize Sorghum |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2012 04:34 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jul 2012 04:35 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/6515 |
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