Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T14:46:30.645Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on the training needs of extension workers on thresholds in cotton IPM in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

I. Javaid
Affiliation:
University of Zambia, School of Agricultural Sciences, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
Get access

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted to find out the information and knowledge of extension workers on thresholds of cotton bollworms, (Helicoverpa armigera and Diparopsis castanea). A sample of 30 extension officers was interviewed in Southern and Central provinces of Zambia. The results showed crucial deficiencies in extension worker's knowledge on thresholds of key pests and their implementation in cotton IPM. More than 60% extension officers were not aware of the basic information and knowledge such as thresholds of cotton bollworms, the recommended time to start scouting (weeks after germination of cotton) and the number of cotton plants to be examined for pest observance in each field. All extension officers indicated a desperate need for more field oriented practical training on thresholds. The recent increase in the incidence of aphids, Aphis gossypii as reported by 50% extension workers is obviously due to calendar sprays of synthetic pyrethroids and the lack of a suitable aphicide in current spray programme. Demonstrations on the practical aspects of thresholds deserve much more attention at college level and also during the in-service training. More co-operation in cotton IPM training for extension officers within Central and Southern Africa is suggested.

Résumé

Une enquete questionnaire a ete menee aupres de techniciens agionomes afin de determines leurs informations et connaissances a propos du cycle du vers du cotonnier, Helicoverpa armigera et Diparopsis castanea. Un echantillon de 30 techniciens a ete interviewe dans les provinces Sud et centrales de Zambie. Les resultats montrent un mannque crucial de connaissances des cycles des principaux insectes nuisibles et de leurs developpments pour le controle de ces malaities parasitoses. Plus de 60% des techniciens ne sont pas an courant des informations de base sur le senil cutique pour le vecs du cotonnier, sur la periode recommandec pour commencer l'observation (nombre de remaines apies la germination du coton), le nombre de plants a examiner pour un bon controle dans chaque champ et 1 interval entre chaque observation. Tons los techniciens indiopment un bessoin desespere de formation pratique a propos de cycle. La recente augmentation de la presence de pucerons relatee par 50% de ces travoilleurs et manifestement due an calendrier de vapousation/arrosage des pyrethroids et an manque d'aphicide appropue dans ces programmes d'arrosage. Les cours sur les aspects practiques de ces cycles et senils critiques reqoivent un accual tries chaleureux/beaucoup d'attention all niveau des colleges et aussi loss de formation su le ternain. Plus de cooperation dans la formation cotonnieve IPM est souhaitee en Afrique Centrale pour ces techniciens.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bohlen, E. (1982) Cotton Pests in Africa. Lint Company of Zambia Ltd., Lusaka in Cooperation with Agroprogress GmbH. Consulting Engineers. D-5300, Bonn, West Germany.Google Scholar
Bottrell, D. G. and Adkisson, P. L. (1977) Cotton insect pest management. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 22, 451481.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brader, L. (1979) Integrated pest control in the developing world. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 24, 225254.Google Scholar
Brettell, J. H. (1983) Strategies for cotton boll worm control in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Agric. J. 80, 105108.Google Scholar
Burgess, M. W. (1983) Development of cotton pest management in Zimbabwe. Crop Prot. 2, 247250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlson, G. A. (1973) Economic aspects of crop loss control at the farm level. In Crop Assessment Methods. FAO manual on the evaluation and prevention of losses by pests, diseases and weeds.Google Scholar
Chiang, H. C. (1979) A general model of the economic threshold level of pest populations. FAO Plant Prot. Bull. 27, 7173.Google Scholar
Goodell, G. (1984) Challenges to international pest management research and extension in the third world: do we really want IPM to work Bull. Entomol. Soc. America 30, 1826.Google Scholar
Hansen, M. (1987) Escape from the Pesticide Treadmill: Alternatives to 1987 Pesticides in Developing Countries. Institute for Consumer Policy Research, Consumers Union.Google Scholar
Heong, K. L. (1988) Computerized surveillance systems in pest management. In Movement of Pests and Control Strategies. PLANTI Proceedings No. 3. PLANTI, Serdang, Malaysia. pp. 375386.Google Scholar
Heong, K. L. (1989) Sources of rice crop protection information. In Crop Protection Information Sources (Edited by Harris, K. M. and Scott, P. R.). CAB International, UK (in press).Google Scholar
Javaid, I.(1990a) Application of insecticides on cotton in Zambia: Timings of spray applications. Trop. Pest Manage. 36, 19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Javaid, I. (1990b) Pest management practices in cotton in Zambia. J. Plant Prot. Trop. 7, 3946.Google Scholar
Javaid, I. (1990c) Application of insecticides on cotton in Zambia: comparison of sprayers. Insect Sci. Applic. 12, 127137.Google Scholar
Javaid, I. (1992) Weed control practices in cotton in Zambia. Cot. Fib. Trop. 47, 15.Google Scholar
Javaid, I., Zulu, J. N., Matthews, G. A. and Norton, G. A. (1987a) Cotton insect pest management at small-scale farms in Zambia—I. Farmers perceptions. Insect Sci. Applic. 8, 10011006.Google Scholar
Javaid, I., Zulu, J. N., Matthews, G. A. and Norton, G. A. (1987b) Cotton insect pest management at small scale farms in Zambia—II. Training and source of advice. Insect Sci. Applic. 8, 10071015.Google Scholar
Kumar, R. (1984) Insect Pest Control with Special Reference to African Agriculture. Edward Arnold, London.Google Scholar
Lincoln, C., Boyer, W. P. and Miner, F. D. (1975) The evolution of insect pest management in cotton and soybeans. Past experience, present status and future outlook in Arkansas. Environ. Entomol. 4, 17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matthews, G. A. (1974) Studies on chemical control of insect pests of cotton. Ph.D. Thesis, University of London.Google Scholar
Matthews, G. A. (1979) Pesticide Application Methods. Longman, Harlow.Google Scholar
Matthews, G. A. (1989) Cotton Insect Pests and their Management. Longman, New York.Google Scholar
Morton, N., Smith, R. K., Vigil, O. and Van der Mersch, C. (1981) Evaluation of the 'toxic carpet' spray strategy with cypermethrin on cotton. Proc. 1981 Br. Crop Prot. Conf. Pests and Diseases. pp. 371379.Google Scholar
Nyambo, B. T. (1986) Studies in the bollworm Heliothis armigera Hubner, the bey cotton pest in Tanzania, as a basis for improved integrated pest management. Ph.D. thesis. University of London.Google Scholar
Norton, G. A. (1982) A decision analysis approach to integrated pest control. Crop Prot. 1, 147164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pedigo, L. P. (1989) Entomology and Pest Management. Macmillan, New York.Google Scholar
Smith, R. F. and van den Bosch, R. (1967) Integrated control. In Pest Control—Biological, Physical and Selected Chemical Methods (Edited by Kilgor, W. W. and Doutt, R. L.), pp. 295340. Academic Press, New York and London.Google Scholar
Stern, V. M., Smith, R. F., van den Bosch, R. and Hagen, K. S. (1959) The integrated control concept. Hilgardia 29, 81101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tunstall, J. P. and Matthews, G. A. (1966) Large scale spraying trials for the control of cotton insect pests in Central Africa. Cott. Grow. Rev. 43, 121139.Google Scholar
Way, M. J. (1977) Ihtegrated pest control—Practical realities. Outlook in Agric. 9, 127135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar