Assessment of Soybean Resistance to Leaf-feeding Insect, Spodoptera litura

One of soybean problem in Indonesia is leaf damage caused by the Spodoptera litura. The aim of the study was to identify the resistance of soybean genotypes againts army worm based on the preference index and morphophysiological characters. 150 soybean genotypes were grown under field condition from February to May 2018 in Malang (East Java, Indonesia). The preference test was conducted in the laboratory using G100H as resistant reference plant to armyworm. The result showed that the preference index was ranged from 0.09-1.82. A total of 105 genotypes showed a low preference index (resistant), 39 genotypes showed a high preference index (susceptible), and a genotype has similar preference index with the reference plant (has equal resistance with G100H). Based on the preference index and morphophysiological characters, 150 soybean genotypes can be grouped into eight clusters. A genotype from cluster VIII (Anjasmoro/Rajabasa-41) has characteristics of low leaf water content, dense leaf trichomes, and the preference index of 0.14. Those characteristics could be the attributes of the soybean genotypes that is resistant to S. litura. The Anjasmoro/Rajabasa-41 was recommended to be cultivated in Indonesian, or may be used as a gene source in the breeding program for S. litura resistance

Population dynamics of Fall Army Worm [(Spodoptera frugiperda) J.E. Smith] (Lepidoptera: Nuctuidae) in maize-cassava intercrop using pheromone traps in Niger Delta Region

Background This study was conducted to generate baseline information on population dynamics of Fall Army Worm (FAW) in cassava-maize intercrop for management technique. Maize (Zea mays) is Africa’s most staple food crop with pest complex as major constraints to its production. The study was carried out at the Abuja Campus of the University of Port Harcourt, Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm. A plot size of 3298 m2 was cleared and ploughed; afterward, thirty six (36) ridges were made for the planting. Three varieties of maize grains (a hybrid Oba Super 98, white and yellow locals) were used for the study. Two cropping patterns (Sole maize and Cassava-Maize.-Intercrop) as main factor with a total of 18 sole and 18 intercrop plots and pheromone trap heights (at 1 m and 1.5 m) as sub-factor were used. The traps were mounted 18 days after planting and insect collection commenced at dawn the following day. FAW data in each trap were collected daily between 06.00 and 07.00 h. Maize cobs, fresh and dry weights, numbers of FAW exit holes, tunnels and tunnel lengths were recorded for both cropping patterns in each maize variety. Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance. Results The results show higher mean value of FAW count in pheromone trap height placed at 1.5 m, and Oba super 98 maize variety intercropped with cassava had higher FAW count. There were significantly higher (P < 0.05) FAW exit holes in maize with pheromone trap height placed at 1.5 m, and maize-cassava intercrops had higher mean values of FAW exit holes. Number of tunnels and tunnel lengths (cm) due to FAW infestation were higher in maize varieties where pheromone traps were placed at 1.5 m. Conclusion Intercropping maize with cassava may suggest increase in FAW bionomics and the presence of abundant host which might increase a spike in its peak period of infestation. The presence of cassava in maize-cassava cropping pattern encourages feeding and/or oviposition of FAW on maize plant; therefore, an alternative cropping pattern should be encouraged in the region.

The Biology of Fall Army Worm (Spodopterafrugiperda. J. E. Smith) in Sudan

The Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is considered among the economic important pests in Sudan. Therefore, it became necessary to study and understand its biology and find out the appropriate control measure (s). To achieve the above objective, experiments based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were carried out during the period from September 2018 to August 2019, where the Fall armyworm (FAW) was reared in the laboratory and fed on a nutrient médium composed of Corn leaves. The results displayed the ranges of eggs laid by a female was 890–1169. The egg incubation period ranged between 3-13 days. The larval duration ranged between (13-50) days and the pupal duration was between (7-20) days under a temperature of 21-300c and a Relative Humidity (RH) of 65 ± 5%. The longevity of the adults was 1-20 days, and the range of the full lifecycle was (24-100). However, six generations of FAW were obtained within one year. This study concludes that in Sudan FAW breeds continously throughtout the year and it recommends further studies on the biology and effective management of this invasive pest