CORN EARWORM ATTACK: AGRONIGERIA REPORTS DISCOVERY AND INFESTATION TO AKWA IBOM STATE GOVT

Corn

 Another pest attack has been observed, this time on a different crop and at a different location. AgroNigeria drew the attention of the Akwa Ibom State government to a recent outbreak of pest attack on maize plants in the state. The discovery of the infestation was made in the course of a regular interaction with grass root farmers in the South-South. It was observed that the leaves of maize crops in the neighborhood were highly perforated leaving the foliage damaged and reduced in surface area. No maize stand is spared in the affected areas; whole farmlands are totally affected.

Corn Earworm

Interrogating a farmer, Mr Sylvester Edward, it was discovered that the damage was caused by a pest attacking the crop. This discovery prompted a state-wide investigation which revealed that maize crops in all the three (3) senatorial districts of the state are equally affected. 

 

In view of the cost of the impending loss due to imminent poor yield and their negative implication on household income with its accompanied ripple effects on the economy, this ugly development was reported immediately by AgroNigeria to the Akwa Ibom State government.

 

Receiving the information for the first time, the Director, Agric Information Unit in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Akwaowo Obot, swung into immediately action, though at the time locked out of office because of Labour strike – “I am going to carry out a confirmation research right away and then get back to the Permanent Secretary so the ministry of agriculture can go to the state media and tell farmers what to do.” He, however, decried the closure of the state secretariat where the office of the State Ministry of Agriculture is located because of Labour strike as a possible drawback in treating the challenge with the urgency it requires. He speculated that if the pest is the stem borer, almost 4cm in length, then ventox 45 which is readily available within the state would be the pesticide for control.  

 

However, further investigation by AgroNigeria in partnership with Contec Global Agro Limited, Abuja, confirmed the pest as Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Mr Sunil Tanwar, the Agronomist and Marketing Head, Contec Global Agro Limited gives an expert narrative of the situation, the pest, control and preventive measures worthy of note by all Nigerian farmers. Although some damage symptoms show similarities, the Corn Earworm larva should not be confused with the European Corn Borer larva which has a dirty white colour with dark brown or black head. Ear Corn larva damages the leaves causing window openings on the leaf lamina but it has more attack on the cob as they penetrate the silk and eat grains” he said.

 

Corn Earworm

On the bizarre observation that only maize crops planted late are affected while early ones are untouched, the agronomist enlightened that “The kernels, especially near the tip of the ear will be eaten down to the cob [by the corn earworm]. By cutting off the silks, pollination is prevented and poor ear fill may result. That is also one of the reasons maize planted late is affected most.”

 

According to the agronomist, the application of Fixit GA (CGAL bio insecticide) at regular intervals as a control measure can prevent the economic damage to the crop. “We have a complete solution towards the control of this pest. Fixit is the product which has the capability to counter this pest. The product is cost effective and are not required in large quantities. It is systemic in nature and remains in active form for a long period and at the same time is non-toxic and does not have any residual effect. The dosage for one hectare is 500gm for a single spray; even if a farmer applies higher dosage than recommended, it does not cause any phyto toxicity” he remarked.

 

He further disclosed the preventive measures which will guarantee less losses and reduce overall cost to farmers in Akwa Ibom State and the country at large: “Preventive measures include crop rotation with legumes” stressing that controlling pest organically is the main key as it does not have any residual/health hazards.

 

We at AgroNigeria sees this as an urgent call for the promotion of improved and preventive agricultural practices among Nigerian farmers as a sustainable intervention measure to the Corn Earworm pest attack, as well as other maize pest attacks. This will keep farmers better prepared and will reduce losses due to infestation and cost of control. It is also an invitation to Nigerian farmers to embrace and adopt organic pest control measures through the use of bio-pesticides as advocated by Contec Global Agro Limited particularly because of its non-residual, non-hazardous health effects.