In many countries in eastern, central and southern Africa, twice-weekly to two-weekly acaricide applications are practised to prevent mortality of exotic cattle from tick-borne diseases. This practice has been extended to areas where only local cattle are present. These measures are very costly, inefficient in controlling diseases and ecologically undesirable.
In view of the many difficulties with the present method of tick control, exploitation of tick-resistant cattle breeds in enzootically stable situations would appear to be a pragmatic, alternative approach to the intensive use of acaricides. This paper reviews studies on host-tick relationships in Africa with a view to understand the role of naturally acquired resistance in limiting tick populations and hence its use in integrated pest management strategies. The levels of information required are outlined such as identification and quantification of resistance, effect of cattle breeds and productivity and economics in relation to host-resistance.
