Field trials were conducted to assess the effectiveness of a parasitic nematode, the DD136 strain of Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser in controlling Heliothis zea (Boddie) on naturally infested sweetcorn.
Nematode suspensions at concentrations of 0, 4 × 103, 4 × 104, 4 × 103 (applied twice) and 4 × 104 (applied twice), nematodes/ml respectively, were sprayed on the ears at early silking stage.
Treatments with 4 × 104 nematodes/ml sprayed twice at 3 days interval gave significantly better control (55%) than the rest. The mean number of surviving H. zea larvae was also significantly reduced with increasing concentrations of nematodes. Economic damage was not prevented but damage to treated ears was significantly lower than that of the untreated plots.
