Fall armyworm (FAW) is a polyphagous and voracious pest, destroying maize plants in farms in Cameroon. An annual yield loss is estimated to range from15 to 78%, valued at US$ 2,481 to US$ 6,187 million. With most damage experienced in the mono-cropping system. Maize is the most widely grown cereal crop globally due to its several uses, namely human consumption, animal feed and biofuel. In Cameroon, maize is a staple food grown by small- scale producers in all ten regions. The control of FAW is unsuccessful with only the use of pesticide method, the application is knowledge-intensive, and misuse often leads to pesticide resistance, resurgence and increased production cost. The purpose of this review was to explore the different controlling methods adopted to suppress FAW from causing economic damage in maize farms of small-scale producers in Cameroon. Integrated pest management (IPM) approach was used to control FAW, including cultural control, chemical control, botanicals, push-pull farming system, biological control and indigenous knowledge. Results showed that push-pull farming system provides protection and improves maize nutrition, botanicals have similar efficacy like synthetic insecticide, and wood ash is a bio-pesticide. The combined application of pesticides and handpicking FAW was effective though feasible in small surface areas. Based on the general assessment, the push-pull farming system deserves to be promoted due to its numerous benefits: eco-friendly, enhancement of natural enemies, increased soil fertility and economic returns. Natural enemies and bio-pesticides application are essential to control FAW since farmers are resource-poor, causes no health problem and are environmentally friendly.
Insect attack of produce in storage is a major challenge in postharvest handling and contributes to food waste and loss. Attempts to use synthetic chemicals to control this have generated other health and environmental problems. This study aimed to investigate the potential of pyrolyzed cocoa pod husk as a biopesticide (liquid Smoke (LS)) to protect cocoa beans against storage pests. The study was set up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments (10%; 20%; 50%; 100 % concentrations of LS and 0 %as control). These were applied to the outer surface of mini jute sacks containing cocoa beans. A GCMS analysis of the LS detected 20 compounds. A repellence test of LS showed a very strong repellence effect, repelling almost 90% of the insect population. The feeding deterrence index also caused a reduction in bean damage from 22% in control to 7.65% for 100% LS-treated beans. Weight loss was reduced from 2.13% in control to 0.11 % in the sample treated with 100% LS. The LS treatment did not cause any significant change in the FFA and pH content of the beans. The organoleptic test also proved that LS treatment did not cause any substantial change in the flavor and overall taste and aroma acceptability. Therefore, the liquid smoke can be used for protecting cocoa beans by spraying on the outer part of jute sacks containing beans.
Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) techniques to effects of climate change, i.e., dry spells on maize seed production. The trials evaluated growth characteristics, yield, and seed quality parameters. CSA techniques such as minimum tillage with dead mulch, zero tillage with mulch, minimum tillage with roundup, pit planting, zero tillage with live cover and control (conventional farming) were laid off in RCBD with four replicates. Results indicated that CSA techniquessignificantly increased plant height, the number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, total dry matter accumulation, yield and yield components even though the cropping season was associated with prolonged dry spells. Maize seed grown under minimum tillage with dead mulch (maize stover as a cover) significantly increased production of maize seed with dry cob yield (8.92 ton ha-1), seed grain yield (4.45 ton ha-1), 1000-seeds weight (386.9g), and highest germination percentage, seed vigor index and germination energy of 1,127 and 80.24%, respectively. Maize seed can be produced under climate-smart agriculture techniques and still maintain high seed quality than under conventional system.
Cocoabeans damage by storage pest is a major challenge in postharvest handling and also a contributor to food waste and loss. Attempts to use synthetic chemicals to control this have generated other health and environmental problems.Meanwhile, the improper disposal of cocoapod waste has also led to phytophthora disease infection on cocoa farms. This study therefore aimed to investigate the potential of using pyrolysed cocoa pod husk as biopesticide (liquid Smoke (LS)) to protect cocoa beans against storage pests. The study was set up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments (10%; 20%; 50%; 100 % concentrations of LS and 0 %as control). These were applied to the outer surface of mini jute sacks containing cocoa beans. A GCMS analysis of the LS detected 20 compounds. A repellence test of LS showed very strong repellence effect, repelling almost 90% of insect population. The feeding deterrence index also caused a reduction in bean damage from 22% in control to 7.65% for 100% LS-treated beans. Weight loss reduced from 2.13% in control to 0.11 % in 100% LS. LS treatment did not cause any significant change in the FFA and pH content of the beans. From the organoleptic test, LS treatment did not cause any significant change in the flavour and overall taste, and aroma acceptance. The liquid smoke, therefore, has the potential to be used for protecting cocoa beans by spraying on the outer part of jute sacks containing beans.
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