Farmers’ perceptions and management practices of insect pests on stored sorghum in southwestern Ethiopia

Surveys were undertaken in six districts of southwestern Ethiopia from July to October 2003 to investigate farmers’ perceptions and management practices of insect pests on traditionally stored sorghum. The survey involved 138 randomly selected farmers who were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Storage insect pests were perceived as the major insect pests of sorghum. The majority of the farmers estimated sorghum yield losses of up to 50% due to insect damage during storage. High temperature and lack of storage hygiene were cited as the major factors resulting in insect infestation of stored sorghum. Infestations of stored sorghum insect pests were common on different forms of sorghum, which stored in various types of farm storage. Farmers classified sorghum varieties according to the level of resistance to stored sorghum insect pests. Only about 32% of the farmers had access to chemical insecticides for the control of stored sorghum insect pests, while the majority of them used cultural practices and locally available plant materials as storage protectants.     

Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management of vegetable pests and diseases in Botswana

Vegetable farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of pests, diseases and pest management practices were investigated by interviewing 112 growers in Botswana between April and June 2004. Most of the farmers grew brassicae crops, Swiss chard and tomato, and considered arthropod pest problems as the major constraint to vegetable production. Bagrada hilaris Burm., Plutella xylostella L. and Brevicoryne barassicae L. were the most serious pests on brassicas, with red spidermites (Tetranychus spp.) being the most serious pests on tomato. Ninety-eight percent of farmers relied heavily on the use of synthetic pesticides to control these pests. Their decision to apply pesticides was mostly on noticing the presence of a pest or disease. An integrated pest management programme is needed to reduce over reliance on pesticides.     

Integrated pest management in field vegetable crops in northern Europe — with focus on two key pests

Improvements in (1) insecticide application, (2) supervised control, and (3) pest forecasting systems have each helped to reduce considerably the amounts of insecticides required to control fly, caterpillar and aphid infestations in vegetable crops in northern Europe. By growing plants that are partially resistant to certain major pests, it is now possible to apply even less insecticide than the dose recommended for the crop. In crops where only small amounts of insecticides are applied, natural predators should prevent large increases in pest insect populations and natural parasitoids should reduce the numbers of pest insects entering subsequent generations. The possible impact of introducing transgenic plants and the use of physical (crop covers), cultural (crop rotation, undersowing) and microbial (e.g. fungi, bacteria and nematodes) methods of control are also discussed. The withdrawal of certain insecticides, as a result of environmental and commercial pressures, means that some crops may soon be without appropriate insecticides for controlling one or more of the major pest species. Whether such systems will be sustainable, remains to be seen.     

Perceptions of losses from pests of arable crops by some farmers in England and New Zealand

The aim of two postal surveys of farmers in England and New Zealand was to measure farmers' perceptions of losses from weeds, insects, and diseases in their arable crops. While the perceived losses differ among the crops and pest types, significant positive associations are found both between the surveyed farmers' perceptions of different pests within crops and between the same type of pest among different crops. Insecticide and fungicide use is found to be greater when herbicides are used. Estimated benefit-cost ratios are presented for herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Most farmers consider that these ratios are favourable.     

Field assessment of the efficacy and persistence of diatomaceous earths in protecting stored grain on small-scale farms in Zimbabwe

Farmers and grain traders in sub-Saharan Africa are forced to sell stored produce prematurely because of deterioration due mostly to insect damage. Producers expressed a need for a relatively cheap and safe method of insect control. Diatomaceous earths (DE) offer safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals, but information on their efficacy under tropical small-scale farming conditions is lacking. Two commercially available DE products, Protect-It^® and Dryacide^®, were tested against the major post-harvest insect pests of grains and pulses. On-farm field trials in Zimbabwe showed that both inert dusts gave significant protection against insect damage when admixed with farm stored maize, sorghum and cowpeas for periods of 40 weeks. However, efficacy of these DEs is closely linked to the application rates and differs between commodities, locations and insect pests. An admixture application rate of 0.1% w/w of Protect-It^® or Dryacide^® can be recommended to protect both maize and cowpea grain that is to be stored for 4 months or longer in Zimbabwe. However, Dryacide^® was not effective in preventing damage to sorghum grain by the bostrichid Rhyzopertha dominica unless applied at a higher rate of 0.2% w/w.     

Factors determining adoption of integrated pest management by vegetable growers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province,Thailand

Widespread use of highly toxic pesticides primarily for agricultural purpose has generated increasing concerns about the negative impact of pesticides on human health and the environment. Integrated pest management (IPM) usually seeks to minimize the use of pesticides and can be utilized to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. A total of 220 vegetable farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand was interviewed with the objective of investigating the factors determining their adoption or non-adoption of IPM practices. The findings demonstrated that farmers had different uncompromising reasons for determining the use of IPM for their insect pest management. Higher costs of insecticides (91%), adverse effects of insecticides on human health and the environment (80%), and a greater risk of insect pests developing resistance to insecticides (28%) were the primary reasons for the adoption of IPM by vegetable growers in the study area. The reasons for the rejection of IPM practice were unsuitability of IPM for a large farm (52%), implementation difficulties (80%) and a greater belief in synthetic insecticides and their efficacy for target pest control (39%). A comparison between the IPM and the non-IPM farmers showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) in farmers' knowledge of pest management, which influenced IPM adoption or non-adoption. The IPM farmers had greater knowledge about identifying natural enemies and their beneficial role in controlling insect pests, about plant extracts and their efficacy in controlling insect pests and about sticky traps and their efficacy in monitoring natural enemies and controlling insect pests. For example, 24% of IPM farmers had knowledge of natural enemies whereas it was only 4% for the non-IPM farmers. A logistic regression model was fitted which showed that lower cost of pest management, better knowledge on IPM after training and availability of extension services were the factors which influenced farmers' adoption of IPM practice. The non-IPM farmers rejected adoption of IPM due to the common belief that natural enemies would not be effective in controlling insect pests and yields of vegetables would not be increased by practicing IPM.     

普洱市小粒咖啡病虫害种类调查分析

对云南省普洱市小粒咖啡主要栽种区病虫害及荫蔽树种类、杂草和荫蔽树与咖啡病虫害的关系进行调查研究。结果发现普洱市小粒咖啡害虫有13种,病害有7种,常用荫蔽树有17种。文中还分析杂草和荫蔽树与咖啡病虫害关系,就普洱市咖农的管理技术提出建议。     

广东省玉米有害生物种类调查

在广东省6县18个乡镇开展玉米有害生物种类、为害及分布调查,基本摸清广东省玉米有害生物种类、为害及分布情况。结果显示,广东玉米有害生物种类48种,其中病害22种,病害以真菌为主,虫害及蜗牛26种,以鳞翅目害虫为主。发生为害表现为发生种类多,病虫草害种类及发生为害区域间差异大。     

永兴岛岛礁植物害虫普查及风险评估

为了有效监控永兴岛危险性害虫发生与危害,本研究对永兴岛可调查的所有陆地区域野生盐生植物、园林绿化植物、耐盐果蔬和绿色固沙植物害虫进行系统性普查及风险评估。普查结果表明:8种野生盐生植物上害虫(螨)19种,其中5种外来入侵害虫和11种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;57种园林绿化植物上害虫(螨)33种,其中9种外来入侵害虫和17种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;31种耐盐果蔬害虫(螨)36种,其中7种外来入侵害虫和20种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;22种绿色固沙植物害虫(螨)15种,其中5种外来入侵害虫和5种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害。风险评估结果表明,椰心叶甲(Brontispa longissima)、木瓜秀粉蚧(Paracoccus marginatus)、扶桑绵粉蚧(Phenacoccus solenopsis)的综合风险值(R)均为2.09,在永兴岛均属于高度危险有害生物,椰子织蛾(Opisina arenosella)、波氏白背盾蚧(Diaspis boisduvalii)、新菠萝灰粉蚧(Dysmicoccu neobrevipes)、烟粉虱(Bemisia ...     

吉林省玉米苗期害虫种类及发生趋势分析

2014~2016年对吉林省9个地市、44个县(市/区)、424个地点的玉米苗期害虫进行系统调查,分析新的耕作栽培制度和气候变暖条件下吉林省玉米苗期害虫种类、分布及发展趋势。结果表明,吉林省玉米苗期害虫有20余种,隶属5个目13个科,其中,鳞翅目和鞘翅目种类最多,共涉及8个科16种害虫,占害虫种类的70%以上;新发现吉林省玉米苗期害虫3种。蛴螬和金针虫是苗期主要害虫,平均有虫田率分别为24.90%和27.76%,有虫田率从西部到东部递减,中部平原区有虫田被害株率高于西部和东部地区。随着吉林省玉米长年连作和秸秆还田、免耕等新耕作方式推广,蛴螬和金针虫2种害虫的发生数量和危害程度呈逐年加重趋势;其余害虫有虫田率均在5.00%以下,未对玉米生产造成威胁。     

Pest management challenges for smallholder vegetable farmers in Zimbabwe

Smallholder vegetable production is expanding rapidly in Zimbabwe both for local sale in urban markets and for export. Pest management practices of 12 small-scale vegetable farmers in two areas of Zimbabwe were surveyed over a five-month period to gather information on crops, pests, diseases and crop protection methods. A range of serious pests and diseases affects non-indigenous vegetables such as Brassicas, tomatoes, onions and cucurbits. Although farmers use some cultural control methods and occasionally botanical pesticides, pest control is predominantly by the use of conventional synthetic pesticides. These are usually applied through lever operated knapsack sprayers although some less orthodox application methods are occasionally used. Results are variable and there are concerns about risks to sprayer operators, consumers and the environment (including natural enemies) due to shortcomings in protective clothing, large deviations from recommended doses and excessive run-off to the soil. Field trials were carried out to evaluate a modified sprayer lance which directs the spray upwards rather than downwards in an attempt to place more of the spray under the leaves where most of the arthropod pests are found. The ‘V lance’ as it is called improved the uniformity of spray coverage on the upper and lower leaf surfaces and is expected to improve efficacy of spraying and/or offer the opportunity to reduce doses or spray frequencies. Farmers who tested the device reported good results and gave constructive feedback for future improvements. The smallholder vegetable sector requires support in the form of improved access to existing pest management information (in an appropriate form) and focused research targeted at the knowledge gaps which currently impede implementation of sustainable IPM.     

太阳能自控多方式诱虫灯对槟榔害虫的诱捕效果评价

本研究对太阳能自控多方式诱虫灯诱捕槟榔害虫的效果进行了评价。结果表明,经过240 d,诱虫灯共诱捕害虫255 924头,共计8个目、26科、46种昆虫,其中鳞翅目害虫达到64.33%;诱虫灯诱虫数量、重量在8—11月增加,12—2月减少,3月后再增加,其诱虫数量变化与当地虫害发生规律相一致,且益虫仅占总虫量的0.80%;灯控区槟榔受虫害等级比非灯控区少1~3个等级,虫害发生等级控制在++以内。灯控区坐果率在开花结果初期、收获期明显高于非灯控区,明显降低落果率,单株产量达到10.96 kg,比非灯控区提高36.61%。因此,该型诱虫灯在槟榔园使用具有诱虫谱广,诱杀作用强的特点,可大幅减少虫害发生,提高坐果率,增加产量。     

太阳能灭虫器对花生田蛴螬诱杀效果的初步探讨

应用太阳能灭虫器对花生田蛴螬诱杀效果的调查显示,该灭虫器可诱集到17种害虫,且主要为金龟子类;灯诱防治区相对农民自主化学防治区防治效果为81.28%;灯诱防治区相对农民自主化学防治区花生果和仁受害率下降89.98%;产量对比增产幅度达55.22%。表明该项技术可有效控制花生田蛴螬的危害。     

Farmers' perspectives of rodent damage and management from the highlands of Tigray,Northern Ethiopian

A farmers' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey was conducted in the highlands of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, to better understand rodent damage and rodent management from the farmers' perspective. Farmers (n = 191) from Dogu'a Temben district, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The large majority of the farmers stated that rodents are the main pests in crop fields (92.1%) and storage (88.5%). The farmers (64.2%) reported they experienced 100–500 kg ha⁻¹ damage in crop fields, which is equivalent to 8.9–44.7% loss in annual production. There was some overlap between the most common crops grown in the highlands and the most common crops susceptible to rodent attack. Farmers identified barley as the crop most susceptible to rodent attack (76.4%) and the booting stage as the crop developmental stage with the highest rodent abundance and damage. Rodenticide application was the most commonly practiced management strategy in crop fields (51.8%); in storage, farmers mainly keep domestic cats around granaries (80.6%). We recommend a reduction in reliance on chemical rodenticide in crop fields and a shift to a more sustainable rodent management approach to reduce rodent numbers and damage.     

Global status of nematode problems of groundnut, pigeonpea, chickpea, sorghum and pearl millet, and suggestions for future work

Analysis of responses received from 40 cooperators in 20 countries to a questionnaire on nematode problems of groundnut, pigeonpea, chickpea, sorghum and pearl millet suggested that Meloidogyne spp. are internationally important nematode pests of groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea. Pratylenchus spp. are important on all the five crops. In India, Heterodera cajani and Rotylenchulus reniformis are important pathogens of pigeonpea. Over the last 10–15 years, extensive nematode disease surveys have been undertaken for these crops in Australia, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Senegal, Sudan, Thailand and Zimbabwe; however, < 10% of the total crop areas were covered by these surveys. Except for Brazil, Egypt, USA and Zimbabwe, growers do not use nematicides to control the nematodes. Cultural practices, especially crop rotations, are the most commonly used control measures. Species of Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus and Rotylenchulus on the legumes, and species of Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus, Quinisulcius and Xiphinema on the cereals, are strongly suspected of increasing the severity of fungal diseases. Work aimed at finding host resistance is being done in Brazil, Fiji, India and the USA, and some sources of resistance have been identified against Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica and R. reniformis. Facilities for resistance screening work now exist in many countries. Information on damage thresholds of important pest species are available only from Brazil, Fiji, India and the USA.     

广西南宁地区龙眼害虫群落结构及其动态研究

根据龙眼害虫群落内部物种的组成和数量，采用群落的几个参数进行分析和探讨群落内部的演替规律。结果表明，为害龙眼的害虫有３１科６７属７６种。优势种有１３种。每年３－９月是主要害虫发生为害高峰期。是生产中防治的重要。多样性指数以５、６月份最高。２月份最低。害虫生物学特性、树龄、气候条件和生态环境等都是影响害虫群落结构的主要因子。     

Factors affecting content and bioefficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) phytochemicals used in agricultural pest control: A review

Neem-based products including traditional preparations and formulations have been used extensively for the control of insect pests attacking agricultural crops. Content of phytochemicals extracted from different parts of the neem plant varies considerably due to abiotic and biotic factors from collection of the raw material to extract preparation and product formulation. Likewise, effectiveness of crude or synthesized material used in the field or laboratory may be influenced by storage conditions, content of active ingredient (especially azadirachtin), insect species and its growth stage, type of formulation and synergism of products with other control measures. In this paper, the direct and indirect actions of neem phytochemicals on insect pests are described and practical implications for future pest control strategies are discussed.     

广西芒果病虫害发生情况和防治现状调查与分析

为准确了解当前广西芒果病虫害的防治现状及存在的问题,本研究通过网络平台、会议交流、实地调查等形式进行调研并统计分析,以期为芒果病虫害的绿色防控提供基础数据。广西芒果产区经营方式主要以家庭农场经营为主,占70.83%;种植品种主要包括‘台农’、‘桂7’、‘金煌’、‘热农1号’、‘贵妃’、‘桂10’和‘金兴’等,且71.58%的果园同时种有2个或2个以上品种。总体上芒果病害的发生为害程度较虫害严重,以芒果细菌性黑斑病和炭疽病最为严重。芒果病虫害使用最普遍的防治方法为施用化学药剂,且98.95%的种植户单次用药选择2种或2种以上混配使用,其中单次选用2~3种药剂混配的占55.32%。对于选择药剂的方式,不同种植年限的种植户不同,总体上,44.34%的种植户依靠自己经验或邻居介绍,36.79%依靠农药店推荐,18.87%按农技人员指导用药。药剂成本的投入在200~1000元/667 m ²不等,但是药剂投入与产量并没有成正比关系。     

An Agroecological Basis for Designing Diversified Cropping Systems in the Tropics

Summary

Small scale diversified systems which rely mostly on local resources and complex crop arrangements, are reasonably productive and stable, exhibiting a high return per unit of labor and energy. In many ways complex polycultures and agroforestry systems used by small tropical farmers mimic the structure and function of natural communities therefore acquiring many features typical of such communities, such as tight nutrient cycling, resistance to pest invasion, vertical structure, and high levels of biodiversity.

An agroecological approach to improve tropical small farming systems must ensure that promoted systems and technologies are suited to the specific environmental and socio-economic conditions of small farmers, without increasing risk or dependence on external inputs. Rather, agroecological development projects should incorporate elements of traditional agricultural knowledge and modern agricultural science, featuring resource-conserving yet highly productive systems such as polycultures, agroforestry, and the integration of crops and livestock.

It is ecologically futile to promote mechanized monocultures in areas of overwhelming biotic intricacy where pests flourish year-round and nutrient leaching is a major constraint. Here, it pays to imitate natural cycles rather than struggle to impose simplistic ecosystems that are not inherently complex. For this reason, many researchers think that successional ecosystems can be particularly appropriate templates for the design of sustainable tropical agroecosystems.     

云南河口芒果主要病虫害发生规律调查及害虫天敌种类研究

通过对湿热地区云南河口县芒果园内的5种主要病虫害发生规律进行调查,根据调查情况对芒果白粉病、炭疽病,芒果横线尾夜蛾、芒果切叶象甲、桔小实蝇等5种发生程度较重的病虫害进行发生危害情况的相关分析,同时对云南河口地区芒果害虫天敌进行搜集、调查及鉴定,调查鉴定结果表明：共有天敌昆虫24种,其中寄生性天敌11种,分属于2目5科;捕食性天敌昆虫21种,分属于5目8科。调查结果对于生产上科学制定芒果病虫害防治措施具有重要的意义。