A survey of plants used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Nolitha L Skenjana,Maxwell A Poswal

doi:10.4102/jomped.v2i1.57

Abstract

Background: Resource-poor small-scale farmers often cannot afford the high prices of chemical insecticides to control pests on crops; as a result, some use botanical insecticides. Aim: The aim of the study was to document ethnobotanical pest control methods used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Setting: 217 rural small-scale crop-producing farmers from 14 towns in the Amathole, Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and OR Tambo Districts participated in the study. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to consenting farmers between July and November in 2012, using the convenience and stratified purposive sampling techniques. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The majority of farmers using botanical insecticides were females above the age of 60 years. The farmers identified 23 plants, which they use in their pest control strategies against seven pests of cabbage. The annual herb Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) was cited as the most commonly used herb by 47% of the respondents, followed by Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiceae), Aloe ferox Mills. (Asphodelaceae) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae). Various plant parts were used in combinations or alone in the preparation of formulations mainly against aphids, cutworms and the diamondback moth. Conclusion: The plants, plant parts, combinations and formulations used by farmers in their cabbage pest control strategies need to be scientifically authenticated for efficacy.

Highlights

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata L.) is the most cultivated brassica crop in South Africa (Mandiriza-Mukwirimba, Kritzinga & Aveling 2016:35–44)
Insect pests are some of the most significant constraints to cabbage production in the province and are often controlled with chemical insecticides (Kiribige 2014; Mlanjeni 2014; Weeks 2007). Those not participating in the government programmes, tend not to control at all they have pest problems because of the high costs of chemical insecticides
The aim of the study was to identify and document plants, plant parts, combinations used in botanical insecticides prepared by rural small-scale farmers in the control of insect pests of cabbage

Summary

Introduction

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata L.) is the most cultivated brassica crop in South Africa (Mandiriza-Mukwirimba, Kritzinga & Aveling 2016:35–44). In the Eastern Cape Province, cabbage is one of the most cultivated vegetables (Kiribige 2014) and the crop is regarded as one of the staple foods (Mkize 2003) It is an inexpensive source of vitamins and minerals in a maize-based diet. Insect pests are some of the most significant constraints to cabbage production in the province and are often controlled with chemical insecticides (Kiribige 2014; Mlanjeni 2014; Weeks 2007). Some farmers, those not participating in the government programmes, tend not to control at all they have pest problems because of the high costs of chemical insecticides. Resource-poor small-scale farmers often cannot afford the high prices of chemical insecticides to control pests on crops; as a result, some use botanical insecticides

Objectives

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Conclusion