Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part Z (2025)

Maize, an essential cereal crop for global food security, is highly vulnerable to pests, especially the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), which poses a major threat by causing substantial yield losses. This study evaluated botanical extracts as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Conducted at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, during the 2021–22 Rabi season, the experiment used maize variety TA5084 in a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and five replications. Six botanical extracts were evaluated in comparison to an untreated control. Cleistanthus collinus (10%) demonstrated the highest effectiveness, reducing larval populations by 43.54% after the first spray, 29.77% after the second, and 58.39% after the third, with a grain yield of 3.68 t/ha. Azadirachta indica (10%) and Neem Seed Kernel Extract (5%) also exhibited significant efficacy. The study highlights the potential of plant-based insecticides as sustainable pest management solutions and calls for further research on optimizing their application and economic viability for large-scale use.