EVALUATION OF RESISTANCE IN NINE DROUGHTTOLERANT MAIZE (Zea mays L.) VARIETIES TO STEM BORER INFESTATION AND DAMAGE IN A RAIN FOREST TRANSITION ZONE

AREMU, PETER TAIWO MATRIC NO: 05/0472

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CROP PROTECTION COLLEGE OF PLANT SCIENCE AND CROP PRODUCTION IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURE DEGREE (B.AGRIC. HODS)OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE,ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This project is dedicated to Almighty God, the giver of knowledge for His infinite mercy, guidance and protection' throughout the programme. Also to my parents Mr and Mrs J.O Aremu, my uncle Dr. and Mrs. J.A Aremu and my brothers and sisters.

First and foremost, I will like to thank Almighty God, my source of hope, for his guidance, protection and mercies bestowed on me during my study in this noble institution. My heartfelt regard goes to my loving parents, Mr. & Mrs. J.O. Aremu for their moral and endless financial support. May God almighty continue to bless you and also spare your lives so that you will both eat the fruit of your labour. My genuine appreciation goes to iny uncle Dr. and Mrs.s J.O. Aremu, and to my brothers and sisters, Rev. Sr. Oyenike Stella Aremu, Mrs LawaI, Mr Benedict Aremu, Mr Gbolahan Aremu, Mrs E.O Adetiba, and Mr Aremu Kehinde, for their love and support throughout my staying in the University, may the Lord continue to bless you. Amen. My endless gratitude goes to my Supervisor Dr. O.R. Pitan, who has been more than a Supervisor but a father, for his understanding and enviable passion towards knowledge imparted unto me, also to all the lovely lectures in the department especially Prof. Adeoti, Dr. Osipitan, Dr. Fajinmi, Dr. Mrs Ayo - John, Dr. Afolabi and Mr Odeyemi. This appreciation is also extended to all lecturers in the department who gave me their best to ensure that I am a properly certified graduate. My appreciation also goes to my project mates and friends; Sanda Barade, Ajewole Olanike, Olaosebikan Folasade, Adewole Modupe, Buari Akinyemi, Abubarka Muhammad, Ayedun Dotun, and Owolabi Dapo, I also wish to thank all my hall mates.

Acknowledgements

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2.2

Biology of Stem Borers

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2.3

Damages

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2.4

Control of Stem Borers

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2.4.1 Chemical ControL 2.4.2 Host Plant Resistant

14 '"

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2.4.3 Cultural ControL 2.4.4 Biological ControL

3.0

CHAPTER THREE:

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LIST OF TABLE

TABLE 1: Damage characteristic of the stem borers on different varieties of maize.

"LIST OF FIGURE

FIGURE 1:

The field layout showing the distribution and arrangement of

plots and treatments

This work was carried out to evaluate resistant in nine drought- tolerant maize varieties to stem borer infestation and damage in rain forest transition zone. The work was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, University

of Agriculture,

Abeokuta, Alabata, between June and October, 2010. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. An experimental field layout of 61 m x 16 m was used for the experiment with nine experiment plot size of 5 m x 4 m each.

The field plot was replicated three

times. At 4th weeks of planting, a dead heart count was taken and at 12th weeks of planting the following data were collected; The number of lodged stem per plot, number of bored stem per plot, nqmber of bore internodes per plant, number of bored ear per plot, number of exit hole per plant, number of larva per stem, number of larva per cob, length of tunnel per stem, weight of cob per plant, grain weight, and the grain yield in tons/ha were calculated. The result obtained indicated that, there were no significant difference ( P