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Cotton insect pest management on small scale farms in Zambia—I. Farmers' perceptions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

I. Javaid ,
J. N. Zulu ,
G. A. Matthews  and
G. A. Norton
I. Javaid
Affiliation:
University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
J. N. Zulu
Affiliation:
University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
G. A. Matthews
Affiliation:
Imperial College at Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7PY, U.K.
G. A. Norton
Affiliation:
Imperial College at Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7PY, U.K.
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Abstract

A random sample of 90 small scale cotton growers was selected and interviewed in three target areas, to investigate the perceptions of farmers towards cotton insect pest management in Zambia. Information is given on farmers control practices, their perceptions of insect damage and the effectiveness of control. All farmers interviewed were knowledgeable about the common insect pests of cotton. The American bollworm (Heliothis armigera), red bollworm (Diparopsis castanea), and aphids (Aphis gossypii) were reported to be the worst pests. Some farmers use more insecticide applications than is locally recommended probably because they overestimate potential losses. Many farmers felt that the insecticides they use (pyrethroids) are very effective against pests. In some cases, the ED formulation of cypermethrin was reported to be more effective than EC formulations. The commonly practised nonchemical methods of insect control are growing cotton in rotation with other crops and destruction of cotton plants after harvest. Only a few farmers were aware of the role of biological control and the significance of weeding in cotton pest management. Many farmers inspected their crops to decide the timing of spray applications but did not follow the recommended scouting methods.

Résumé

Un echantillon au hazard parmis quatre-vingt deux cultivateurs de coton etait sélectionné et enquête danstrois reǵions-types afin de pouvoir estimer les perceptions des agriculteurs envers les mesures de controle des insectes nuisibles au coton en Zambia. De l'information sur les pratiques de contrôle des agriculteurs, de leur perceptions envers less dégât et l'efficacité des mesures de contrôle est fournie. Toutes les agriculteurs questionnés étaient au courant des insectes les plus communes muisibles au coton. Heliothis armigera, Diparopsis castanea et Aphis gossypii setaient mentionnés commes les pestes les plus endommagentes. Certains agriculteurs emploient plus d'insecticide que prevu par les recommandations locales, probablement parce qu ils surestiment les pertes potentielles. Beaucoup d'agriculteurs estimaient que les insecticides employés (pyrethroides) étaient trés efficaces contre les pestes. En quelques cas, la formulation, ED de cypermethrine était considère plus efficace que les formulations EC. Les méthodes de contrôle non-chimiques des insectes les plus communes etaient le cultivage de coton en rotation avec d'autres cultures et la destruction des plantes après la récolte. Très peu d'agriculteurs étaient au courant du rôle de la contrôle biologique et de l'importance de la contrôle des mauvaises herbes dans la controle des pestes du coton. Beaucoup d'agriculteurs inspectaient personnellement leurs cultures afin de pouvoir décider du moment approprié des applications et ne suivaient pas les méthodes de reconaissances recommendées.

Keywords

Small scale farmersscoutingcotton pestsZambiaAgriculteurs á petile echellereconaissancepestes du cotonZambia.
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 8 , Issue 4-5-6: Recent Advances in Research on Tropical Entomology , December 1987 , pp. 1001 - 1006
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1987

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