Abstract
Maize stem borer (Chilo partellus S.) is most destructive insect pests of maize crop in Pakistan. Four granular (carbofuran, fipronil, cartap, monomihypo), two foliar (emmamectin, deltamethrin) and two seed dressers insecticides (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam) were tested against maize stem borer (MSB) on maize variety (R-2335) under field conditions. The data revealed that all insecticide significantly reduced MSB infestation at different level and have positive effect on maize yield. Least MSB infestation was observed with fipronil and imidacloprid (1DAT = 27.78%, 27.78%), monomihypo and cartap (3 DAT=16.67%, 21.11%), monomihypo (7 DAT = 8.89%) after first insecticide application, respectively. Likewise, fipronil gave low MSB infestation (1 DAT=17.78%) and imidacloprid high infestation (1 DAT=26.67%) after second insecticide application. Afterwards, all insecticides exhibited very low but significantly at par MSB infestation at 3-7DAT. Furthermore, granular insecticides (fipronil=5778 kg/ha) gave high yield followed by carbofuran, monomihypo and cartap (5111, 4889, 4445 kg/ha), respectively. Taken together, granular insecticides were comparatively more effective with high maize yield. Seed dresser insecticide were more effective during early days of germination. Two-time application of foliar and granular insecticides may also be adopted to keep the MSB infestation below ETL.