Low-cost agronomic practices and landscape management approaches to control FAW

Abstract

In addition to host plant resistance, biological control, and judicious application of chemical pesticides, a number of low-cost cultural practices and landscape management options can be implemented as part of an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy against Fall Armyworm (FAW). Such approaches can be particularly relevant to smallholders who lack financial resources to purchase improved seed, pesticides, or other relatively expensive agricultural inputs (Wyckhuys and O’Neil 2010; Stevenson et al. 2012). While there is a range of experience applying cultural and landscape management practices to control other pests in Africa (Martin et al. 2016;, Pumarino et al. 2015;, Stevenson et al. 2012), there is still considerable uncertainty about how effective such approaches will be against FAW, and these knowledge gaps require additional research. Many of the measures recommended in this chapter therefore represent general agroecological best practices for pest control - though where indicated, emerging evidence suggests efficacy against FAW in Africa, particularly for the “Push-Pull” intercropping approaches. This chapter will focus on cultural and landscape management practices suitable for maize-based farming systems common in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, with additional reference to agroforestry interventions.