Effect of cassava-legume intercropping systems on productivity and cassava insect pests population dynamics across three major agro-climatic zones of Sierra Leone

Field trials were conducted in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 cropping seasons in three agro-climatic zones of the country to evaluate the productivity and insect pests population dynamics of cassava as a response to spatial arrangement, plant architecture and cropping systems. The treatments consisted of seven cropping associations, two cassava architectures and two spatial arrangements. The study reveals that yield parameters of cassava were higher in cassava-soybean system at all locations. The number of marketable roots and forage yield were on average higher when the erect cassava variety was intercropped with the legumes using the 1 m x 1m spatial arrangement. On the other hand, root yield and canopy width were higher when the 2 m x 0.5 m spatial arrangement and the branched cassava architecture was used respectively. In general, yield parameters were higher at Segbwema expect for forage yield that was higher at Makeni. With respect to cassava insect pests, higher percentage incidences and severity scores were recorded on sole cassava and when the branched cassava variety was intercropped with legumes using the 2 m x 0.5 m spatial arrangement of cassava. In addition, cassava insect pests incidences were only observed at 6 MAP and 9MAP and were higher in Segbwema compared to the other locations. Thus, in order to improve productivity of cassava with low insect pest infestation, the erect cassava variety should be intercropped with soybean at a spatial arrangement of 1 m x 1 m.

Download Full-text

Comparative Experimental Effects of Intercropping and Cypermethrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Yield of Maize, Cowpea and Okra in Two Cameroonian Agro-Ecological Zones

AgriEngineering ◽

10.3390/agriengineering3020025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 383-393

Author(s):

Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽

Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽

Hartmut Koehler

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Pest Infestation ◽

Final Yield ◽

Cropping Seasons ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.

Download Full-text

Application of Trap Cropping as Companion Plants for the Management of Agricultural Pests: A Review

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects9040128 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 128 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Shovon Chandra Sarkar ◽

Endong Wang ◽

Shengyong Wu ◽

Zhongren Lei

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Critical Time ◽

Trap Crops ◽

Companion Plant ◽

Trap Cropping

Companion planting is a well-known strategy to manage insect pests and support a natural enemy population through vegetative diversification. Trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an alternative preferred choice. Trap crops not only attract the insects for feeding and oviposition, but also act as a sink for any pathogen that may be a vector. Considerable research has been conducted on different trap crops as companion plant species to develop improved pest management strategies. Despite this, little consensus exists regarding optimal trap cropping systems for diverse pest management situations. An advantage of trap cropping over an artificially released natural enemy-based biological control could be an attractive remedy for natural enemies in cropping systems. Besides, many trap crop species can conserve natural enemies. This secondary effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the conventional means of pest control. However, this additional consideration requires a more knowledge-intensive background to designing an effective trap cropping system. We have provided information based on different trap crops as companion plant, their functions and an updated list of trap cropping applications to attract insect pests and natural enemies that should be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors.

Download Full-text

Impact of global warming on insect behavior -A review

Agricultural Reviews ◽

10.18805/ar.v37i1.9270 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. G. Sable ◽

D. K. Rana

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Global Warming ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Insect Behavior ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Basic Biology ◽

Production Research ◽

And Migration ◽

And Behavior

Global warming is a great concern throughout the world. Being poikilothermic in nature insects are greatly affected by changing temperature. Insect will experience additional life cycles with rapid growth rate. As a result of changes in the population dynamics including distribution and migration the reliability on current insect pest ETL will be reduced. Increased insect pests outbreak will affect agricultural production. Research on basic biology of insect, population dynamics and behavior patterns should be focused to ascertain the effect of global warming on insect behavior.

Download Full-text

Management of beneficial invertebrates and their potential role in integrated pest management for Australian grain systems

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea07424 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 48 (12) ◽

pp. 1531 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Joanne C. Holloway ◽

Michael J. Furlong ◽

Philip I. Bowden

Keyword(s):

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Pest Species ◽

Grain Crops ◽

The Impact

Beneficial invertebrates (predators and parasitoids) can make significant contributions to the suppression of insect pest populations in many cropping systems. In Australia, natural enemies are incorporated into integrated pest management programs in cotton and horticultural agroecosystems. They are also often key components of effective programs for the management of insect pests of grain crops in other parts of the world. However, few studies have examined the contribution of endemic natural enemies to insect pest suppression in the diverse grain agroecosystems of Australia. The potential of these organisms is assessed by reviewing the role that natural enemies play in the suppression of the major pests of Australian grain crops when they occur in overseas grain systems or other local agroecosystems. The principal methods by which the efficacy of biological control agents may be enhanced are examined and possible methods to determine the impact of natural enemies on key insect pest species are described. The financial and environmental benefits of practices that encourage the establishment and improve the efficacy of natural enemies are considered and the constraints to adoption of these practices by the Australian grains industry are discussed.

Download Full-text

Chemical and integrated control of the long-tailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in the Riverland of South Australia

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9770319 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 319 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

GO Furness

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Chemical Control ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Insect Pest ◽

South Australia ◽

Management Program ◽

The Other ◽

Pseudococcus Longispinus ◽

Check Experiment

Chemical control of the mealybug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) was most effective if sprays were applied when the mealybugs were in the dispersive crawler stage and when the host plant afforded the least shelter. A two-spray program with sprays applied in August and late November effectively controlled a dense infestation of the mealybug on citrus. Red scale (Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)), the major insect pest of citrus, was also effectively controlled. An overall pest management program has been developed for citrus in which all insect pests are controlled by combination of natural enemies and insecticides as required. Outbreaks of the mealybug, and other secondary pests, are controlled by sprays of aminocarb or methomyl. These two insecticides prevented the population resurgence of mealybugs in the subsequent generation which occurred when maldison was used. Bioassays showed that aminocarb and methomyl were toxic for less than a week to the mealybug and to parasites and predators, whereas maldison and methidathion were toxic to the parasites and predators for about a month. Parasite pupae inside the host mealybug survived sprays of maldison and aminocarb. It is suggested that natural enemies emerging after spraying, from resistant or protected stages, survive sprays of aminocarb and methomyl but not sprays of more persistent insecticides like maldison; and that these survivors continue to suppress populations of their hosts. Hence aminocarb and methomyl are probably specific in their action against the mealybug and the other secondary pests of citrus because of their short persistence.An insecticide check experiment failed to demonstrate that natural enemies significantly reduce populations of the mealybug. Possible reasons for the failure are discussed.

Download Full-text

Yield parameters and water productivity of tropical and overseeded winter forages

International Journal for Innovation Education and Research ◽

10.31686/ijier.vol8.iss8.2587 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 760-774

Author(s):

Arthur Carniato Sanches ◽

Débora Pantojo de Souza ◽

Fernanda Lamede Ferreira de Jesus ◽

Fernando Campos Mendonça ◽

Eder Pereira Gomes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Forage Yield ◽

The Other ◽

Bermuda Grass ◽

Winter Period ◽

Area Index ◽

Yield Parameters ◽

Guinea Grass

Intensive pasture exploitation with tropical forages is one of the most efficient forms ruminant production. However, the results depends on the knowledge about these forages and the experience in its management. The objective of this work was to evaluate water productivity (WP) and yield parameters of Megathyrsus maximum cv. Mombaça “Guinea grass” and Cynodon spp. “Bermuda grass”, in single culture and overseeded with oats + ryegrass in autumn/winter period. Irrigation management was done considering a depletion factor of 0.3 (70% of the humidity the field capacity). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications, in which the forages are the treatments with evaluation at the time of the cycles. For all evaluated parameters, the best results were obtained with the Guinea grass in exclusive cultivation. The TFP (Total Forage Productivity) of Guinea grass was superior to Bermuda grass (59.3 and 30.2 Mg ha-1, respectively), in accordance with its average LAI (Leaf area index) values of 4.8 and 2.5, respectively. The most efficient use of water occurred for Guinea grass in exclusive cultivation, and the intercropped crops did not present increases in the WP. In the autumn/winter period, the accumulated TFP of the exclusive crop of Guinea grass was higher than the other crops. However, the SDM of Bermuda grass was higher than the other crops. In winter, the highest LAI occurred in Guinea grass in exclusive cultivation, followed by the overseeded Guinea grass, 4.8 and 4.5, respectively. Consortia did not increase forage yield during the winter. The consortiums did not increase forage yield during the winter.

Download Full-text

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MAJOR PHOTOTATICS INSECT PESTS OF AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEM THROUGH LIGHT TRAP

Environment & Ecosystem science ◽

10.26480/ees.01.2020.52.54 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 52-54

Author(s):

Binod Banjara ◽

Divash Pokhrel ◽

Mohan Joshi ◽

Usha Panta ◽

Prashant Adhikari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Chilo Partellus ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Light Trap ◽

Wheat Field ◽

Vegetable Field ◽

Click Beetle ◽

The Status ◽

Pink Borer

This study was conducted to monitor the population dynamics of major insect pest of agriculture ecosystem through light trap at the agriculture farm of GAASC ,Baitadi,during the winter of 2018.The main aim of this study was to determine the status of phototatics insects pest of the farm locality.. Light trap with a 100Watt filament bulb was installed at the site at college boundary, vegetable field and wheat field for trapping purpose. The observation was done every day and data was weekly record their status and occurrences. Overall nine insect species were observed and among them click beetle(Agriotes spp.) population was observed maximum compared to other species.Insects occurrence in vegetable field is dominated by click beetle followed by moths(Pieris canidia)and cabbage semi looper(Trichoplusia spp).The total 289 of 6 different species were found from vegetable fields. Trap installed on Agronomy farm contributes clickbeetle (Agriotes spp.)The most followed by Greenleaf hopper(Nephotettix spp)., Pink borer(Chilo partellus), wasp(Vespa spp.) and grasshopper(Hieroglyphus banian),total 152 of 5 different species were found until 15 week of monitoring. Similarly, trap installed in open field obtained total 176 out of which 68 were click beetle (Agriotes spp.),47 pink borer (Chilo partellus),40 moths (Pieris canidia) and 21 wasps (Vespa spp.).

Download Full-text

Integrating Rowcovers and Strip Tillage for Pest Management in Summer Squash and Muskmelon Production

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04221-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 923-932

Author(s):

Amanda Skidmore ◽

Neil Wilson ◽

Mark Williams ◽

Ric Bessin

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Pest Species ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Strip Tillage

Pest management in cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) cropping systems is challenging. As a result, pesticides are heavily used for managing insect pests and diseases. This work focused on the application of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to control pests and reduce reliance on insecticide sprays while maintaining the quality and quantity of marketable yields in two commonly grown cucurbit crops: muskmelon (Cucumis melo) and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo). Plasticulture (raised beds covered in black plastic mulch) and strip tillage, two soil management systems commonly used for cucurbit IPM production, were compared to determine their impact on yield and pest numbers during the 2013–14 growing seasons. Additionally, the use of early season rowcovers and their impact on yield and pest pressure were investigated. Plasticulture use increased marketable yields compared with strip tillage for both summer squash and muskmelon, but strip tillage resulted in fewer total pests for both crops. Rowcover use did not have a consistent effect on insect pest numbers and showed a negative impact on the yield of both summer squash and muskmelon. No significant impacts on yield were observed when the interaction between rowcovers and the tillage system was investigated. The use of rowcovers impacted pest numbers, but these impacts were not consistent between insect pest species. Insecticide use was reduced in covered treatments, but only by one application. We concluded that these management techniques have the potential to be used in an IPM system, but the reduced marketable yield of strip tillage systems may reduce the adoption of this IPM technique for these crops.

Download Full-text

Use of biological control measures in the intensive management of insect pests in New Jersey

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s088918930000223x ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 3 (2-3) ◽

pp. 77-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James H. Lashomb ◽

William Metterhouse ◽

Robert Chianese

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Population Dynamics ◽

New Jersey ◽

Pest Management ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Control Measures ◽

Control Methods ◽

Animal Protection ◽

Made In

AbstractThe U.S. public is expressing strong preference for the use of biological control methods in the management of U.S. agricultural, forest, and rangeland insect pests. This follows from a widespread understanding among citizens that synthetic insecticides have potentially harmful side effects on humans and that they are spreading increasingly as pollutants in the environment. Major recent increases in the number of pesticide-resistant insect species also put pressure on the agricultural community toward adoption of alternative non-agchemical plant and animal protection strategies. Movement in the direction of such alternatives has been facilitated by the fact that in the last two decades much progress has been made in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through an improved understanding of the interactions of pests with their hosts. In that time period, many advances have been made in describing and predicting insect movement, seasonal cycles, and the effects of secondary plant compounds on insect reproduction. Simultaneously, much has been learned about the behavior, physiology, and population dynamics of insect parasitoids, i.e. parasites on insect pests. In the 1990's and subsequently, Biological Control Intensive Pest Management (BCIPM) will require continuing research to attain needed advancement in knowledge of growth and development of host plants, population dynamics of pests and parasitoids, and ecology of secondary pests that may interfere with implementation of BCIPM programs. Extension and research personnel will then be increasingly able to devise useful control methods for pests within selected cropping systems. We describe here examples to illustrate present and potential future use of BCIPM in different practical plant systems in New Jersey.

Download Full-text

Insect pests and their natural enemies on spring oilseed rape in Estonia : impact of cropping systems

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.2137/145960606777245579 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

E. VEROMANN ◽

T. TARANG ◽

R. KEVVÄI

Keyword(s):

Insect Pests ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

The Other ◽

Meligethes Aeneus ◽

New Generation ◽

Hymenopteran Parasitoids ◽

The Impact ◽

Spring Rape

To investigate the impact of different cropping systems, the pests, their hymenopteran parasitoids and predatory ground beetles present in two spring rape crops in Estonia, in 2003, were compared. One crop was grown under a standard (STN) cropping system and the other under a minimised (MIN) system. The STN system plants had more flowers than those in the MIN system, and these attracted significantly more Meligethes aeneus, the only abundant and real pest in Estonia. Meligethes aeneus had two population peaks: the first during opening of the first flowers and the second, the new generation, during ripening of the pods. The number of new generation M. aeneus was almost four times greater in the STN than in the MIN crop. More carabids were caught in the MIN than in STN crop. The maximum abundance of carabids occurred two weeks before that of the new generation of M. aeneus, at the time when M. aeneus larvae were dropping to the soil for pupation and hence were vulnerable to predation by carabids.

Download Full-text