INSECT PEST RISK ANALYSIS OF MAIZE IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was conducted in the 40 upazilla of 20 selected major maize growing districts of Bangladesh during the period from January to April 2012 to find out the present status of insect pests of maize, their risks and management options. In light of this, various surveys with 400 maize farmers, 80 field level officials at upazilla level and 20 policy level officials of DAE at district were conducted through predesigned and pretested questionnaire in order to assess their knowledge about insect pests of maize including quarantine insect pests, their risks and management options/strategies. The data were analyzed using computer program SPSS 17.0 version. Almost all (100%) farmers chose rabi season for maize cultivation. Most (80%) of the farmers cultivated hybrid variety of maize as well as cultivated BRAC and BARI developed hybrid variety. Major (87%) source of maize seeds was seed dealer. The insect pest attack was the top ranking problem for maize cultivation. Major insect pests of maize were cutworm, armyworm, corn earworm, stalk/stem borer, white grubs, fall armyworm, corn seed maggot, corn leaf aphid and corn wireworm. Other insect pests of maize in Bangladesh were white grubs, grasshopper, termite, chinch bug, seed corn beetle, corn rootworm, sting bug and thrips. The infestation intensity of cutworm, armyworm and corn earworm were high in maize, while the others from medium to low intensity. Corn earworm, corn ear maggot, grain borer, grain weevil, Angoumois grain moth, Indian meal moth, seed corn maggot were designated as the major insect pests of stored maize grains, where corn earworm, corn ear maggot, Angoumois grain moth and Indian meal moth caused damage maize seeds with high intensity. Application of insecticides such as Dursban, Basudin, Furadan etc was the most widely used methods for controlling insect pests of maize in the field. The effective measures for preventing insect pests of maize seeds in storage were the storing of seeds in airtight container, use of botanicals, storing of seeds in polythene bag, use of insecticides in godown, use of fumigants like phostoxin tablet and maintenance of moisture content at low level. Cornstalk/stem borer, corn armyworm, fall armyworm, corn earworm, seed corn maggot and white grubs were the quarantine insect pests of maize in Bangladesh as reported by 45.0 to 85.0% policy level officials of DAE at district level. Outbreak of new insect pests, high intensity of crop damage, outbreak of disease infection through vector and outbreak of new insect biotype would be the major threats due to introduction of quarantine insect pest of maize in Bangladesh. Seed treatment, use of pest free imported hybrid seeds, cultural practices, farmers training to build up awareness, application of insecticides, quarantine barriers to prevent dispersion of quarantine insect pests and use of resistant maize variety were the most effective measures for controlling quarantine insect pests of maize.. Providing of training to the farmers regarding quarantine pest management, regular field visit and provide relevant advice to them were the most effective actions taken directly by the same respondents. Other actions taken were providing advice to use treated seeds, provide training to the DAE staffs and provide advice to use resistant maize variety. Strengthening of quarantine law enforcement, providing technical training to the quarantine personnel, judicious use of chemical fertilizers, improvement of existing quarantine laws, improvement of quarantine facilities would be the most effective measures to prevent quarantine insect pests of maize. The strengthening of existing quarantine station laboratories, establishment of modern quarantine laboratory, increase the skilled manpower regarding quarantine pests, proper identification of quarantine insect pests, training of concerned officials on quarantine pests, updating/strengthening of existing quarantine laws, strict application of quarantine laws, strengthening of quarantine services, enhancement of domestic production of hybrid seeds for maize would be the improvement strategies for existing quarantine services in Bangladesh.