Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae), of South American origin, is considered to be one of the worldÕs most serious invasive plants, invading Australia, Asia and Africa. As part of an international collaborative project, this study attempted to improve the understanding of the geographical distribution of P. hysterophorus in eastern and southern Africa. The climate modelling program CLIMEX was used to assist in the selection of survey localities. Roadside surveys of the distribution of the weed were conducted in Botswana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Swaziland and Uganda. Prior to these surveys, only limited P. hysterophorus locality records existed; substantially more records were obtained from surveys. Most infestations were high density (>3 plants m )2 ). Distribution records were used to validate the CLIMEX model, which proved a useful tool. This study increased current understanding of the distribution of P. hysterophorus and developed a baseline from which to monitor future spread and abundance of P. hysterophorus. Additional surveys are required in other countries in Africa which are predicted by CLIMEX to be at risk. This will enhance integrated management decisions for the control of a weed which has implications for food security and human health.
Maize (Zea mays) is one of the main and popular cereal crops due to its high value as stable food as well as its stover demand for animal feed and fuel and even for construction purposes. Despite its current productivity is higher than other major cereal crops, the yield productivity is below its potential. These are due to many biotic and abiotic factors that can contribute to its yield potential of productivity to be below the previous productivity. The Fall Army Worm (FAW) is among the major factors contributing to low productivity currently in Ethiopia from its introduction in February 2017. Now it has covered about 52, 962 hectares in 144 districts in six of the major maize-growing regional states, namely Benishangul-Gumuz, Amhara, Tigray, Gambella, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. FAW, a new devastating insect pest is one of serious major problems for agricultural crop production especially under police family (maize) in Ethiopia under warm and humid conditions. This is due to its ability to breed rapidly, to migrate, and to feed on a wide range of host plants and these make it very difficult to control. Nonetheless, there are several ways of managing the pest reported in other parts of the world that can potentially be adapted and/or validated and used in Ethiopia. Hence, to manage these sporadic pests we have to use different management options. Among those, cultural, chemical, biological and integrated pest management is commonly used in pest infestation. Therefore, this paper initiated with the objective of reviewing the Status of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Biology and control measures on maize in Ethiopia.
Declining soil fertility was the major factor for lower productivity of maize and to combat these problems, commercial fertilizers have been applied. However, rising costs of inorganic fertilizers may not encourage the smallholder farmers. Therefore, in sourcing for an alternative that reduces the cost of production while increasing the productivity, integrated soil fertility management has been recommended. Several research attempts have been made to optimize the integrated uses of organic and inorganic fertilizers at different locations. An experiment conducted in Bako concluded use of 12 t ha −1 of FYM with 28/12 NP 2 O 5 kg ha −1 saved up to 75% cost of commercial fertilizer. A trial at Wolaita recommended combined use of compost (5 t ha −1 ) with 50 kg urea and 100 kg DAP ha −1 . Another field experiment conducted in Western Oromiya, application of 150/50 kg ha −1 of the Urea and DAP with 4 t FYM ha −1 was recommended for sustainable production of maize. An experiment conducted at Wujiraba concluded better yield and quality obtained with the application of 120 kg N and 15 kg S ha −1 with 10 t ha −1 of compost. Another trial conducted on an acidic nitosol of Southwestern Ethiopia concluded application of 50% recommended NP and 50% compost gave the highest grain yield. A field experiment at Wolaita also indicated, using compost at 5 t ha −1 fortified with urea is Habtamu Yigermal ABOUT THE AUTHORS Habtamu Yigermal Temie is MSc. Student at Bahir Dar University in Agronomy and Academic Staff in Debre Markos University at Burie Campus. He is professionally Agronomist under the department of horticulture in Burie Campus. His key research interest is on soil fertility management and other production technologies of agronomic crops. Kelemu Nakachew Baleh is MSc. holder in Agronomy and Lecturer in Debre Markos University at Burie Campus. He is professionally Agronomist under the department of plant science in the Campus. His key research interest is on soil fertility management and other production technologies of agronomic crops. Fenta Assefa Bogale is MSc. Student at Bahir Dar University in Horticulture and Academic Staff in Bahir Dar University at College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. His key research interest is on nutrient use efficiency of cereal crops and enhancing their productivity.
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