301 RESEARCHES CONCERNING EUROPEAN CORN BORER (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) CONTROL, IN SOUTH-EAST OF THE ROMANIA Emil GEORGESCU 1 , Maria TOADER 2 , Lidia CANĂ 1 , Luxiţa RÎŞNOVEANU 3 1 National Agricultural Research and Development Institute Fundulea, 1 Nicolae Titulescu Street, Fundulea, Calarasi County, Romania 2 University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd, District 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania 3 “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, 29 Calarasi Street, Braila, Romania Corresponding author email: emilgeorgescu2013@gmail.com Abstract European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn) is one of the most important maize pests in Romania, especially in the central and western region of the country, in hilly areas and along the main rivers, in the Danube flooded plains. However, in last years, ECB produce high damages at maize crops in south and south-east of the Romania, too. In this paper there were presented results of a study concerning both chemical and biological control of this pest at maize crop, between 2016 and 2018, in the climatic conditions from south-east of the Romania. The experiences were carried out at NARDI Fundulea, Calarasi County. Five days before foliar spraying, maize plants were artificial infested witch ECB egg batches produced in laboratory conditions, from insects reared consecutive generations, using same artificial diet. Climatic conditions from first 15 days of July, when it has made artificial infestation of the maize plants were favourable for ECB attack in all studied years. As result, the attack of this pest at maize untreated plants was high. Foliar application of both, chemical and biological insecticides, provide effective protection of the maize plants, against ECB larva attack, in first week after the treatments. However, in the climatic conditions of the years 2016 and 2017, at treated variants, it has observed highest amount of ECB larva/plant, at assessment made in autumn, comparative with first assessment made at 5 days after the treatments. Key words: maize, borer, control, artificial, infestation. INTRODUCTION Maize is one of the most important crops in Romania (Soare & Dobre, 2016; Tudor et al., 2017; Popescu A., 2018). According Eurostat reports, in 2018, our country occupied first place in EU, both for maize area and yield. However maize production per hectare, realized in Romania is lower, comparative with countries from Western Europe (Eurostat data, 2015; 2016; 2017). The main reasons for maize yield losses in Romania are because of drought (Stan & Naiescu, 1997; Sabau et al., 2002; Bonea & Urechean, 2011; Panaitescu et al., 2012; Ion et al., 2013; Cociu & Cizmas, 2015; Vizitiu et al., 2016), low temperatures during emergence period (Elena et al., 2011; Has et al., 2012; Rusu & Moraru, 2015; Balas- Baconschi et al., 2019), high temperatures during flowering period (Cuculeanu et al., 1999; Mateescu & Alexandru, 2010; Cociu et al., 2012: Pravalie et al., 2017), weeds (Bogdan et al., 2007; Borza et al., 2009; Stanila et al., 2013; Rusu et al., 2015), diseases and pests attack (Muresan & Mustea, 1995; Popov, 2002; Meiselle et al., 2010; Antonie et al., 2012; Ivas & Muresan, 2013; Georgescu et al., 2016; Trotus et al., 2018). According Trotus et al. (2011) only because of the pest attack, maize yield losses can arrive at 23%. In the climatic conditions from Romania, the main pests of the maize crop are wire worms (Agriotes spp.), maize leaf weevil (Tanymecus dilaticollis), european corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera sin. Chloridea obsolete) and other species from Noctuidae family (Popov et al., 2001; Popov & Barbulescu, 2007; Rosca & Istrate, 2009; Trotus et al., 2013; Manole et al., 2017). European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) it is one of the main pests of the maize crops from Romania (Paulian et al., 1976; Barbulescu et al., 1988; Mustea, 1990; Rosca & Barbulescu, 1997; Popov et al., 2005; Trotus et al., 2017). According Cristea et al. (2004), Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXII, No. 1, 2019 ISSN 2285-5785; ISSN CD-ROM 2285-5793; ISSN Online 2285-5807; ISSN-L 2285-5785