The pink stem borer Sesamia cretica (Led.) is one of the most serious pests of maize causing dead heart and subsequently, rot of plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of three crosses of maize (S.C.10, 3062 and 30K8) to infestation with the 3rd instar larvae of S. cretica and the effectiveness of treating these maize crosses with petroleum ether extracts of (Clove ) Syzygium aromaticum and ( Garlic) Allium sativum, as well as the insecticide pyriban 48% E.C against S. cretica . The intensities of damage between the three tested crosses were statistically insignificant before spraying. They had nearly the same rate of susceptibility to S .cretica infestation. The insecticide and garlic extracts caused the highest reduction of pest infestation compared with non treated plants (control). Dead heart percentages between crosses were highly significant. Both crosses S.C.10 and 3062 had the same level of susceptibility to the dead heart phenomenon, when infested by S. cretica larvae. On the other hand, the maize cross, 30K8 recorded the lowest level of susceptibility. Both garlic extract and insecticide pyriban gave high weight of grain yield in all tested crosses when compared with control .
|
