Validating Indigenous Farmers’ Practice in the Management of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in Maize Cropping Systems in Africa
Author:
Niassy Saliou1ORCID, Omuse Evanson Rigan1ORCID, Khang’ati John Emanuel1, Bächinger Ines2, Kupesa David Mfuti1ORCID, Cheseto Xavier1ORCID, Mbatha Benjamin W.1, Copeland Robert S.1, Mohamed Samira Abuelgasim1ORCID, Gama Mphatso3, Mitti Joyce Mulila4, Belayneh Yeneneh5, Delabays Nicolas2, Lefort François2ORCID, Ekesi Sunday1, Subramanian Sevgan1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya 2. Research Institute Land Nature Environment, Geneva School of Engineering Architecture and Landscape, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, CH-1254 Jussy, Switzerland 3. Machinga Agricultural Development Division, Liwonde Private Bag 3, Malawi 4. Figtree Limited (Figtree Consulting Services), Lusaka P.O. Box 33304-10101, Zambia 5. USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and Technical and Program Quality (TPQ), 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20523, USA
Abstract
Before the invasion of the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda into Africa, smallholder farmers had been using indigenous practices such as applying fish soup to plants to manage stemborer pests. Although farmers have since begun adapting this practice against FAW, no attempt has been made to scientifically evaluate this practice. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of applying fish soup to maize plants that were artificially infested with FAW under semi-field conditions. Our results showed that foliar damage is inversely correlated with the concentration of a fish soup and sugar solution, with the highest (100%) concentration resulting in the lowest foliar damage and the highest plant recovery. The FAW foliar damage results for maize plants treated with 100%, 50%, 10% fish soup and sugar, and distilled water were 46.3 ± 5.6, 51.1 ± 5.0, 71.6 ± 5.2, and 99.4 ± 0.4%, respectively, whereas plant recovery results from the same treatments were 35.2 ± 3.7, 31.1 ± 5.4, 20.0 ± 4.6, and 0.0 ± 0.0%, respectively. A concentration of fish soup and sugar solution of at least 25.9% was required to achieve the lowest foliar damage of 17.8% and peak plant recovery of 73.6%. Fish soup and sugar solutions attracted a wide range of insects, including potential natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of FAW, in a dose-dependent manner. Maize plants treated with fish soup and sugar showed higher chlorophyll content and better growth than the control did. Proximate and chemical analysis showed that fish soup contains essential plant growth nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium). Through GC-MS analyses, we identified 76 volatile organic compounds in fish soup, of which 16 have been reported as insect attractants, highlighting their potential ecological significance. Therefore, the indigenous pest management practices for FAW, such as the use of fish soup, deserve particular attention. These practices could contribute to food security and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Further field validation studies, economic analyses, product development, and optimisation are therefore required to optimise the use of fish soup based on fish waste.
Funder
USAID/OFDA and USAID/BHA European Union HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Subject
Paleontology,Space and Planetary Science,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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