Effects of cuitivar, time and amount of Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) infestation on sorghum yield components in Kenya

Abstract

The effects of cuitivar, time and amount of Chilo partellus Swinhoe infestation on sorghum yield components were investigated. Damage to plants was greater on young plants with higher levels of infestation. Secondary tiller production was influenced by damage to primary tillers, which was related to the time and amount of infestation. The time of infestation was critical for panicle production and young plants in the vegetative phases were the most affected. The total grain yields were reduced in the infested plants and the extent was dependent on the cuitivar, time and level of infestation. Plants with more infestation at the young stages of growth showed the most yield reduction, which was caused by reduced numbers and weights of primary tillers and by the secondary tillers produced being less effective. The implications of these findings for the management of the pest are discussed.