ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research

Crop Protection Division

The Crop Protection Division of the ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana undertakes strategic research on the management of major insect pests and diseases of maize to ensure stable and sustainable production. The division focuses on understanding the variability, pathogenicity, and epidemiology of key maize pathogens such as Setosphaeria turcica and Bipolaris maydis, the causal agents of northern and maydis leaf blights, across diverse maize-growing regions of India.

A major thrust area is the bio-ecology and eco-friendly management of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), along with the development of sustainable and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for other economically important insect pests of maize. The division emphasizes environmentally safe approaches, including biological control, host plant resistance support, need-based chemical interventions, and decision-support tools for pest and disease forecasting.

Through surveillance, resistance monitoring, and development of farmer-friendly management technologies, the division contributes to reduced crop losses, improved productivity, and resilient maize-based production systems.