Abstract: Push-pull strategies involve the behavioral manipulation of insect pests and their natural enemies via the integration of stimuli that act to make the protected resource unattractive or unsuitable to the pests (push) while luring them toward an attractive source (pull) from where the pests are subsequently removed. The push and pull components are generally nontoxic. Therefore, the strategies are usually integrated with methods for population reduction, preferably biological contro...
Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between chemical fertilizer adoption and agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Our results suggest that average returns to fertilizer adoption are high. Further, we find substantial heterogeneity across farm households in returns to fertilizer adoption, with comparative advantage playing a significant role in the adoption decision of farmers. While the adoption decision of farmers was largely rational, fertilizer use across plots was sub-optima...
Abstract: The performance of entomopathogenic fungi in pest control is usually affected by both biotic and abiotic factors. This study aimed to determine the effects of various temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30 ◦C) on conidial germination, mycelial growth and conidial density and virulence to the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae of three selected isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae. The three isolates, ICIPE 18, ICIPE 30 and ICIPE 69, had previously been selected in laboratory bioassays. Perce...
Abstract: Animal food sources provide human beings with minerals considerably in adequate quantities. Fish is an indispensable reliable source of nutrients, as aquaculture is a sector that is fast growing and which provides 50% of the world’s fish production. However, fish production is hampered by the increasing costs of feeds due to the ever rising cost of fish meal, an integral component of fish feeds. Substituting fish meal with cheap, yet highly nutritious ingredients in fish feeds is...
Abstract: The maize stalk borer, Busseola fusca, is an important Lepidopteran pest of cereal crops in Central, East, and Southern Africa. Crop losses due to B. fusca feeding activity vary by region, but can result in total crop loss in areas with high levels of infestation. Genomic resources provide critical insight into the biology of pest species and can allow for the development of effective management tools and strategies to mitigate their impact on agriculture. To this end, we sequenced...
Abstract: Stem borers have been reported as the most injurious insect pests of rice among the insects that attack rice crop globally. Management of stem borers has been relied on the us e of synthetic insecticides but has been ineffective due to the cryptic nature of the attack, disruption of environment and unaffordability to purchase insecticides by small- scale farmers. The attempts to control insects have changed over time from chemicals to natural control methods. Among the various natu...
Abstract: The fruit fly species, Ceratitis rosa sensu stricto and Ceratitis quilicii, are sibling species restricted to the lowland and highland regions, respectively. Until recently, these sibling species were considered as allopatric populations of C. rosa with distinct bionomics. We used deep Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology on intact guts of individuals from the two sibling species to compare their transcriptional profiles and simultaneously understand gut microbiome and host ...
Abstract: Whitefly-transmitted cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs; family Geminiviridae; genus Begomovirus) are viruses with bipartite genomes (components referred to as DNA-A and DNA-B) containing a conserved (between the two components) non-coding sequence known as the common region (CR) required for DNA replication and transcription (Fondong,2013). CMBs cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD), a major limitation to cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, CMD is associated with the ...
Abstract: The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) is a highly polyphagous pest of fruits, vegetables, crops and ornamentals in Pakistan. Biological control approach by using Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) has been developed recently to control this pest. However, the efficiency of this parasitoid is variable according to the locality and the plants on which P.solenopsis is feeding. In this context, this experiment investigated under f...
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tetranychus evansi (Te) is an exotic pest of solanaceous crops in Africa. The predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes (Pl) and the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma) are potential biocontrol agents of Te. The present study investigated the efficacy of fungus-treated foam placed above or below the third Te-infested tomato leaf. The persistence of fungus-treated foam and the performance of Pl with and without fungus-treated foam were evaluated. RESULTS: The fungus-treated fo...
Abstract: Coffee is an important commodity for Kenya, where production is steadily declining, despite a global rise in demand. Of the various constraints affecting production, plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant, but often overlooked, threat. As a perennial crop, treating plantations once infected with nematodes becomes difficult. The current study evaluated the drenching application of two biocontrol agents, Trichoderma asperellum and Purpureocillium lilacinum, for their nematode co...
Abstract: The introduction of fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the African continent has led to paradigm shifts in pest control in maize systems, occasioned by year-round populations. The discovery of resident parasitoid species adapting to the new pest significantly informed decision-making toward avoiding highly hazardous synthetic insecticides to control the pest. A number of biopesticides have shown promise against the fall armyworm, provid...
Abstract: The edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) is a highly nutritious food source consumed in over 20 African countries. Its occurrence is highly seasonal, and wild harvesting is carried out using locally designed and inefficient light traps, thus limiting sustainable utilization as an important food source. To ensure year-round production and availability of R. differens, we evaluated the effects of low-cost and affordable diets based on...
Abstract: One Health (OH) has gained considerable prominence since the beginning of the 21st century, among others, driven by the recent epidemics and the increasing importance of zoonotic diseases. Yet, despite the holistic and multidimensional nature of OH, to date, most emphasis has been on the interactions between animal and human health, with considerably less attention to environmental and plant health. However, there is growing evidence that the challenges of climate change, growing f...
Abstract: In Zimbabwe, the structure and integrity of various ecosystems is rapidly deteriorating, in part due to invasive alien plants. While there is recognition of the challenges posed by invasive alien plants and the complexity surrounding their successful management, very little has been done, documented or evaluated in the country recently, including classical weed biological control activities. We review the current status of invasive alien plants and classical weed biological control...