Incidence of pink stem borer and natural enemies in different sowing dates of maize

Among the different dates of sowing the stem borer damage in terms of number of pin holes was lowest (0.33 pin holes/ plant) at 14 DAS. Peak period of pink stem borer infestation (22.38) was observed at 70 DAS. The crop sown 4th week of July (28/07/2016) has recorded the maximum Leaf Injury Rating (LIR) (3.11). The lowest number of LIR was recorded on 2nd week of August (1.94). LIR causes due to stem borer observed lowest at 21 DAS and highest at 63 DAS in all dates of sowing. The crop sown 4th week of July (28/07/2016) has recorded the maximum percent dead hearts (18.67 %) followed by 3rd week of July (11.11 %). The lowest percent of dead hearts was recorded on 2nd week of August (5.60 %). Stem borer damage was observed lowest at 28 DAS and highest at 63 DAS in all dates of sowing.