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Integrated pest management for cowpea–cereal cropping systems in the West African savannah

Integrated pest management for cowpea–cereal cropping systems in the West African savannah

Adati, T., Tamò, M., Yusuf, S.R., Downham, M.C.A., Singh, B.B. and Hammond, W. (2008) Integrated pest management for cowpea–cereal cropping systems in the West African savannah. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 27 (3-4). pp. 123-137. ISSN 1742-7584 (Print), 1742-7592 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758407883172)

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Abstract

Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is an important component in mixed cropping systems that are appropriate to the agro-ecological characteristics of the West
African savannah. However, the contribution of cowpea to overall productivity of the systems is reduced by a number of insect pest species. Compared with the humid zone,
important features of insect pests in the savannah region include: (i) a tendency towards higher pest incidence during the limited growing period, (ii) a more advantageous
situation for generalist and migratory pests in the scanty and unstable vegetation and (iii) lower mortality inflicted by parasitoids on the pest populations. The key pests of
cowpea of importance in the West African savannah are the legume flower thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the legume pod borer Maruca
vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the pod-sucking bug Clavigralla tomentosicollis Sta°l (Hemiptera: Coreidae). To control these insects in a sustainable manner, pest management practices such as the use of resistant cowpea varieties, mixed
cropping systems, botanical and reduced risk insecticides, and biological control assisted by pest monitoring have been developed. Nevertheless, no single component is effective when used alone, but specific combinations can work synergistically. This paper highlights recent progress in integrated pest management strategies for cowpea in cereal based cropping systems in the West African savannah.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: cowpea, IPM, West Africa, Megalurothrips sjostedti, Maruca vitrata, Clavigralla tomentosicollis
Subjects: S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute
Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Agriculture, Health & Environment Department
Faculty of Engineering & Science
Related URLs:
Last Modified: 28 Jan 2020 11:11
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/2107

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