Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso

Description of the subject. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith has recently invaded sub-Saharan African countries where it causes significant losses to maize since 2016. Objectives. In this study, we examined farmers' knowledge of the fall armyworm, changes in pest management prac...

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Main Authors: Besmer Régis Ahissou, Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo, Aimé H. Bokonon-Gant, Irénée Somda, François Verheggen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux 2022-12-01
Series:Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement
Subjects:
Online Access:https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=19909
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author Besmer Régis Ahissou
Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo
Aimé H. Bokonon-Gant
Irénée Somda
François Verheggen
author_facet Besmer Régis Ahissou
Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo
Aimé H. Bokonon-Gant
Irénée Somda
François Verheggen
author_sort Besmer Régis Ahissou
collection DOAJ
description Description of the subject. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith has recently invaded sub-Saharan African countries where it causes significant losses to maize since 2016. Objectives. In this study, we examined farmers' knowledge of the fall armyworm, changes in pest management practices, and the safety of insecticide use by farmers since the recent invasion of the pest in Burkina Faso. Method. Data were collected through a survey of 197 maize farmers. Results. The majority of the farmers (96%) had experienced the fall armyworm invasion, mainly on maize, but also on sorghum and rice. Almost none of them (7%) used chemical insecticides to control maize pests before the arrival of the pest. Since then, 84% have used chemical insecticides, but various measures have also been implemented: cultural practices (48%) such as early planting, crop associations and fertilization; physical control (29%, i.e, handpicking, application of sand and ash) and applications of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis (12%). Most farmers do not use protective equipment when handling insecticides. Although they can name several natural enemies of the fall armyworm based on the photographs presented to them, they are generally unable to describe their beneficial role. Conclusions. We recommend evaluating the effectiveness of alternatives to chemical insecticides, publishing information on locally available insecticides that effectively control fall armyworm, and training farmers on proper pesticide application methods and natural enemy recognition.
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spelling doaj.art-39d767456d83450f92e066d7402092ae2022-12-22T04:21:21ZengPresses Agronomiques de GemblouxBiotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement1370-62331780-45072022-12-0126419119710.25518/1780-4507.19909 Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso Besmer Régis Ahissou0Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo1Aimé H. Bokonon-Gant2 Irénée Somda3François Verheggen4University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. TERRA. Avenue de la Faculté, 2B. BE-5030 Gembloux (Belgium) – Université Nazi Boni. Institut du Développement Rural. 01 BP 1091. Bobo-Dioulasso 01 (Burkina Faso).University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. TERRA. Avenue de la Faculté, 2B. BE-5030 Gembloux (Belgium) — Université Nazi Boni. Institut du Développement Rural. 01 BP 1091. Bobo-Dioulasso 01 (Burkina Faso).Université d'Abomey-Calavi. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques. Laboratoire d'Entomologie Agricole. 01 BP 526. Abomey-Calavi (Benin).Université Nazi Boni. Institut du Développement Rural. 01 BP 1091. Bobo-Dioulasso 01 (Burkina Faso).University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. TERRA. Avenue de la Faculté, 2B. BE-5030 Gembloux (Belgium). E-mail: fverheggen@uliege.beDescription of the subject. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith has recently invaded sub-Saharan African countries where it causes significant losses to maize since 2016. Objectives. In this study, we examined farmers' knowledge of the fall armyworm, changes in pest management practices, and the safety of insecticide use by farmers since the recent invasion of the pest in Burkina Faso. Method. Data were collected through a survey of 197 maize farmers. Results. The majority of the farmers (96%) had experienced the fall armyworm invasion, mainly on maize, but also on sorghum and rice. Almost none of them (7%) used chemical insecticides to control maize pests before the arrival of the pest. Since then, 84% have used chemical insecticides, but various measures have also been implemented: cultural practices (48%) such as early planting, crop associations and fertilization; physical control (29%, i.e, handpicking, application of sand and ash) and applications of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis (12%). Most farmers do not use protective equipment when handling insecticides. Although they can name several natural enemies of the fall armyworm based on the photographs presented to them, they are generally unable to describe their beneficial role. Conclusions. We recommend evaluating the effectiveness of alternatives to chemical insecticides, publishing information on locally available insecticides that effectively control fall armyworm, and training farmers on proper pesticide application methods and natural enemy recognition.https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=19909invasive speciescommunicationpest controlmaizeindigenous peoples' knowledgebotanical insecticides
spellingShingle Besmer Régis Ahissou
Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo
Aimé H. Bokonon-Gant
Irénée Somda
François Verheggen
Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement
invasive species
communication
pest control
maize
indigenous peoples' knowledge
botanical insecticides
title Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
title_full Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
title_fullStr Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
title_full_unstemmed Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
title_short Farmers' knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Burkina Faso
title_sort farmers knowledge and management practices of the fall armyworm spodoptera frugiperda smith in burkina faso
topic invasive species
communication
pest control
maize
indigenous peoples' knowledge
botanical insecticides
url https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=19909
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