Integrated pest control strategy (IPM) corncob borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner): Fertilization and weeding control

Corn's multi-functionality as food, animal feed, and industrial raw material contributes to food security. Due to the infestation of the cob borer, maize yield frequently decreases. There have been reports of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner causing crop losses globally. The implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy employs an ecological IPM concept, one of which is the development of healthy plants employing fertilizer and weeding. This study was conducted to assess the impact of fertilizer and weeding on corn cob borer (H. armigera Hubner). The study technique employed was a factorial randomized block design (RAK) with two variables. The first component, fertilization, had three levels: P0 (no fertilizer), P1 (Papua Nutrient fertilizer), and P2 (NPK fertilizer). The second aspect is weeding, which has three levels: G0 (daily weeding), G1 (weeding every 4 days), and G2 (8 days interval weeding). The results indicated that the interaction between fertilization and weeding had no significant impact on any of the observational variables. The effect of NPK fertilization on the weight parameters of fresh corn cobs with and without cobs was considerable.