Status and abundance of Maize stem borer (Chilo partellus) in Maize under temperate conditions

Maize stem borer (Chilo partellus) is a serious threat to cultivation of kharif maize in India. Losses due the pest varied from 24-83 per cent in different agro-climatic zones of the country. Study was undertaken to find out incidence of the pest in relation to date of sowing and stage of crop growth during sowing season of the crop at Dryland Agriculture Research Station, SKUAST, Kashmir. An experiment was laid in randomized Block Design, in which sowing was done at 15 days interval starting from March 1 during 2016 and 2017. The observations on Maize Stem Borer infestation and Dead Hearts were recorded. The study revealed that the borer infestation was considerably high during April 1 and April 16 sown crop. Consequently, the control measures need to be initiated during the period for effective maize stem borer management strategy.