Effects of mineral fertilization of maize on the infestation and damage of spodoptera frugiperda j.e. smith, 1797 (lepidoptera: noctudae) in the kara region of northern Togo

Aim: Find alternatives for the control of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Togo, through mineral fertilization of maize. Methods: A completely random block design of four treatments repeated four times was used at the agronomic station of Tchitchao. Three doses of fertilizer, NPK15-15-15 at 200 kg/ha, NPK20-10-10 at 200 kg/ha and the combination 100 kg/ha NPK15-15-15 +100 kg/ha NPK20-10-10; were tested in comparison with the absolute control from November 2019 to March 2020. Results: The results show that the mean number of egg clusters is significantly higher (P=0.0220) between 16th and 22nd DAS on the treatment combination than on the rest of the treatments (NPK15-15-15 at 200 kg/ha, NPK20-10-10 at 200 kg/ha and the absolute control. Also, between the 16th and 19th DAS, the infestation rates remain significantly higher between the combination of treatment and treatment with NPK20-10-10 at 200 kg/ha (0.0182). Conclusion: Fertilization has an influence on the incidence of the fall armyworm and can then be used as an option in integrated pest management.