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Effect of Insecticides on Phytophagous Insects, Predatory Coccinellids and Field Yield of Corn (Zea mays)
Efecto de insecticidas sobre insectos fitófagos, coccinélidos depredadores y rendimiento de campo del maíz (Zea mays)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/rfnam.v79.123767Keywords:
Maize, Natural enemies, Pest insects, Pest management, Sustainability (en)Maíz, Enemigos naturales, Insectos plagas, Manejo de plagas, Sostenibilidad (es)
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Corn (Zea mays Linnaeus) is a relevant cereal in the human diet. Because insect pests justify the frequent use of synthetic insecticides, it is necessary to evaluate more sustainable alternatives. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the effect of various insecticides on pest control, predatory coccinellids, and crop yield. From November 2021 to September 2022, two 1,000 m² plots were planted (rainy and dry seasons) and the following treatments were evaluated: 1. Acephate alternated with chlorpyrifos (AC); 2. Azadirachtin; 3. Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus pumilus; and 4. Untreated control. Individuals of Rhopalosiphum maidis, Frankliniella occidentalis, and predatory coccinellids were counted. In addition, damage to plants and cobs caused by Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa zea, respectively, was evaluated. Rhopalosiphum maidis populations were lower in the AC and azadirachtin treatments. Frankliniella occidentalis populations did not differ between treatments. Plant damage was lower with all insecticides evaluated, while AC and azadirachtin controlled cobs damage. Yields were higher with AC and azadirachtin. The diversity and abundance of predatory coccinellids were drastically affected by synthetic insecticides, necessitating a thorough economic, environmental, and social analysis to address pest management challenges within a sustainable framework. Environmental conditions must also be considered, given that the pest that most limited maize yield (Helicoverpa zea) was more prevalent during the rainy season.
El maíz (Zea mays Linnaeus) es un cereal relevante en la alimentación humana. Debido a que las plagas insectiles justifican el uso frecuente de pesticidas sintéticos, resulta necesario evaluar otras alternativas más sostenibles. Así, este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar el efecto de varios tipos de pesticidas sobre el control de plagas, los coccinélidos depredadores y el rendimiento del cultivo. Durante noviembre 2021 – septiembre 2022, se plantaron dos lotes de 1.000 m2 (período lluvioso y período seco) evaluando los tratamientos: 1. Acefato alternado con clorpirifos (AC); 2. Azadiractina; 3. Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus pumilus; y 4. Testigo no tratado. Se contaron individuos de Rhopalosiphum maidis, Frankliniella occidentalis, y de coccinélidos depredadores. Además, se evaluaron daños en plantas y en las mazorcas ocasionados por Spodoptera frugiperda y Helicoverpa zea, respectivamente. Las poblaciones de Rhopalosiphum maidis fueron menores en los tratamientos con AC y azadiractina. Individuos de Frankliniella occidentalis no difirieron entre tratamientos. Daños en plantas fueron menores en todos los pesticidas evaluados mientras que los daños en mazorcas fueron controlados por AC y azadiractina. Los rendimientos fueron mayores en AC y azadiractina. La diversidad y abundancia de coccinélidos depredadores se vieron drásticamente afectadas por los insecticidas sintéticos, lo que hace necesario un análisis económico, ambiental y social exhaustivo, acometiendo los desafíos del manejo de plagas en el marco de un esquema sostenible. También deben considerarse las condiciones ambientales, dado que la plaga que más limitó el rendimiento del maíz (Helicoverpa zea) fue superior durante la época lluviosa.
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