Author(s): Monika Singh, Amit Kumar Singh, Ranjana Bali and Shallu Raina

Abstract: The field experiments for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) were conducted at Entomology Farm, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu) to study the population dynamics of fall armyworm (larvae) in maize and the impact of agrometeorological factors on their population build-up. The results of the experiment depicted the commencement of fall armyworm (larvae) from 20^th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) in both the years of study (2021 and 2022). Two peak larval populations were recorded in the 25^th SMW and 28^th SMW in 2021 and the 26^th SMW and 29^th SMW in 2022. However, the lowest population was recorded in the 31^st SMW in both years of experimentation. The correlation studies revealed that the mean maximum temperature had a non-significant negative correlation with the fall armyworm (larvae) population where a positive and highly significant correlation was recorded with the mean minimum temperature. Mean relative humidity (morning and evening), rainfall, and rainy days had a highly significant positive correlation with the larval population of fall armyworm. However, sunshine hours had a significant negative correlation with the fall armyworm population.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i2b.604