A review of chemosystematic patterns in African Apiaceae

Abstract

Arthropod pests can cause substantial damage to the maize plant resulting to yield losses of up to 100%. Rural farmers often do not afford the costs of chemical insecticides; alternatively they tend to use indigenous pest control methods which include the use of plants. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the Eastern Cape by farmers to control field pests of maize was conducted in 14 different towns under 5 district municipalities from 217 rural small-scale farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Findings revealed that some of the farmers were knowledgeable of indigenous pest control methods to manage pests of maize and as a result they applied them. This information was found to reside with few elderly people of which majority were females. Although, most of the plants cited were from families Solanaceae and Asteraceae, the most preferred was Chenopodium ambrosioides, a perennial herb from the family Chenopodiceae. The largest percentage of plants used was mainly those harvested from the wild and were mostly herbs. In making formulations, respondents commonly used leaves and most of the preparations were applied on the whole plant using different modes of application. It may be possible that not all the plants mentioned by participants can control target pests. These findings, however, raise a need for a continuous validation and documentation of indigenous pest control methods thus bridging the generational gap. Further research on these methods may play a significant role in reducing costs associated with insect pest control in crop production.