Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Insect Science and its Application

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Abstract

Field trials in Kenya demonstrated that the forage grass, Sorghum vulgäre sudanense (Sudan grass) attracted greater oviposition by stemborers than cultivated maize, resulting in significant increase in maize yield. On the other hand, the non-host forage plant, Melinis minutiflora (molasses grass), when inter-cropped with maize, repelled gravid stemborer females from ovipositing on maize, resulting in significant reduction in stemborer infestation. Using these trap- and repellent gramineous plants, a novel pest management approach based on a 'push-pull' or stimulo-deterrent diversionary strategy is being developed where stemborers are repelled from the food crop and are simultaneously attracted to a discard or trap crop. The plant composition and permanence of habitat surrounding maize fields also influence the abundance of natural enemies that invade agroecosystems once a pest population is present. It may be advantageous to promote the growth of native Gramineae and other wild plants which minimise, or even suppress, population growth of pests during noncropping seasons, but still provide a suitable habitat for natural enemies. ©1997ICIPE.

Keywords

Alternate hosts, Habitat management, Trap plants, Wild hosts

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