AVALIAÇÃO DA INCIDÊNCIA DE INSETOS-PRAGA E INIMIGOS NATURAIS EM HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO DOCE NO MUNICÍPIO DE CRISTALINA

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the different sweet corn hybrid effect on the incidence of insect pests and natural enemies and their productive parameters. The experiment was set up in the experimental area of the Goiano Federal Institute, Cristalina Municipality, Goiás State, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used with six replicates and five treatments to implement the experiment. Each plot was 20 m² with 0.50 m among lines and 0.25 m among plants. Five sweet corn hybrids adapted to the Cristalina area were tested. The number of arthropods in five plants per plot was evaluated during the corn cycle. Thirty-two arthropod species were found in the plant canopy, including nine detritus, thirteen phytophagous, nine predators, and one parasitoid. Five species showed occurrence frequency greater than 10%. The most frequent arthropods were Dalbulus maidis, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Orius insidiosus, Solenopsis sp., and Megaselia scalaris. The population fluctuation of D. maidis and R. maidis in all hybrids did not differ from each other and decreased during crop development, while the O. insidiosus and Solenopsis sp. populations decreased. M. scalaris populations remained constant. The highest percentage of fall armyworm attack was found in hybrid 4, with 10.74% of plants attacked. It was found that the average corn yield did not vary among hybrids by analysis of variance.