Identification of Termite Infestation Season on Maize (Zea mays L.) BH-540 Variety Growth Stage After Applied by Treatments in Assosa District, Benishalgul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Termite is one of the most important serious insect pests of maize facing severe problem in western part of Ethiopia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four different management practices, their combined and their integration. They were examined for evaluation of termite infestation season under maize growth stages in Assosa district of western Ethiopia from mid may 2015 to April 2016. The study was carried out under application of treatments consisted of chemical control (Malathion 50% E.C at rate of 2L/ha), botanical control (Echinops kebericho at rate of 3l/ha), cultural (ash at rate of 2.5kg/plot), and physical soil and water conservation (terrace 30cm in width*60cm in depth) and their integration and untreated control. The experiment was laid out by randomized complete block design with twelve treatments and three replications which is thirty six total observations. The germination emergency of the maize was registered 98.44% to 100% which showed non-significantly difference among plots. The termite infestation was appeared after 20 days of germination emergency within the plots and immediate treatment application was carried out. The infected stand count of maize was taken from seedling stage, late seedling stage, maturity stage and harvesting time after application.  The season of infested maize growth stage was registered in integrated treatment, Malathion 50% E.C X Echinops kebericho X Terrace X Ash showed root damage (1%, 1%, no damage, 0.67%) and stem damage (0.67%, 0.67%, 3.67%, 0.67%) and untreated control showed higher number of root damage (6.33%, 6%, 3.67% & 5%), stem damage (6.33%,7%,7% & 9%) and cob damage (4.67%, 9%) were recorded at seedling stage, late seedling stage, maturity stage and harvesting time respectively. Generally, the infestation season was lower at seedling stages while increased at late seedling & maturity and highly increased at harvesting time respectively.

Keywords: - identification, termite, stages, season, infestation, damage