India’s Greener Battle Against the Fall Armyworm: Integrated Sustainable Tactics Boost Maize Yields

A multi-institutional research team from the ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research, Hyderabad, has demonstrated a practical, eco-friendly solution to tackle one of the world’s most destructive maize pests—the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

Published in the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2025), the study tested several integrated pest management (IPM) modules across maize fields in Telangana and Rajasthan during 2023–2024. Researchers compared combinations of pheromone traps, bird perches, neem-based biopesticides, Metarhizium anisopliae fungal sprays, and limited use of newer-generation insecticides.

Among the modules tested, Module 1 emerged as the most cost-effective, achieving the lowest infestation (≈18%) and highest yield gains—50.6 q/ha in 2023 and 48.0 q/ha in 2024, with cost-benefit ratios exceeding 2.0. This integrated approach minimized harm to beneficial insects such as ladybirds and spiders, unlike conventional chemical-only practices.

Researchers concluded that these greener tactics not only reduce dependence on chemical pesticides but also enhance biodiversity and soil health. The findings are pivotal for maize farmers in tropical regions seeking sustainable, scalable pest-control solutions.

The authors advocate for wider adoption of these IPM modules through farmer training, access to biocontrol inputs, and government support for sustainable pest management innovations.

Reference

Soujanya, P.L., Suby, S.B., Babu, S.R. et al. Integrating greener, sustainable management tactics to minimise fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) damage in maize. Int J Trop Insect Sci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01654-w