Fall‐armyworm invasion, control practices and resistance breeding in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract

Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith); FAW] invasion has exacerbated maize (Zea mays L.) crop yield losses in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), already threatened by other stresses, especially those that are climate‐change induced. The FAW is difficult to control, manage, or eradicate, because it is polyphagous and trans‐boundary, multiplies fast, has a short life cycle and migrates easily, and lacks the diapause growth phase. In this study, FAW and its impact in Africa was reviewed, as well as past and present control strategies for this pest. Pesticides, cultural practices, natural enemies, host‐plant resistance, integrated pest management (IPM), and plant breeding approaches were examined as possible control strategies. It was concluded that an IPM control strategy, guided by cultural approaches already being used by farmers, and what can be adopted from the Americas, coupled with an insect‐resistance management strategy, is the best option to manage this pest in Africa. These strategies will be strengthened by breeding for multi‐trait host‐plant resistance through stacking of genes for different modes of control of the pest.

Socioeconomic and health impacts of fall armyworm in Ethiopia

“…The effectiveness of botanical extracts (e.g., neem-based products) and mechanical control (e.g., killing larvae of the pest) received below-average scores. The FGD participants gave a low effectiveness score (two) for agro-ecological approaches (e.g., cropping systems such as intercropping), which were promoted to control FAW in Ethiopia and elsewhere [ 2 , 7 , 18 , 56 ]. This result is in line with a study in southern Ethiopia that found that intercropping (maize-legume) had little impact on controlling maize production losses due to FAW in southern Ethiopia [ 10 ].…”

“…Maize is a staple food for more than 300 million Africans [ 1 , 2 ]. Despite the importance of maize, its production is constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors that contribute to sub-Saharan ‘Africa’s (SSA) pervasive food insecurity.…”

Food safety, food security and genetically modified organisms in Africa: a current perspective

“…Additionally, the maize transgenic event, MON89034, introduced in 2010 by Monsanto contained stacks of insect-resistance traits, and is resistant to FAW. These GM products were first commercialized in South Africa (Chandrasena et al, 2018;Matova et al, 2020).…”

Introduction to the special Crop Science issue: Celebrating the International Year of Plant Health

“…Matova et al. (2020) described their efforts to breed fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) resistant maize.…”