Bio-Efficacy of Medicinal Plants on Management of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Chickpea in Ethiopia

Research work on wilt/root rot diseases of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia is reviewed. The five important wilt/root rot diseases in Ethiopia are wilt, dry root rot, wet root rot, black root rot and collar rot, which are caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, Rhizoctonia bataticola, R. solani, F. solani and Sclerotium rolfsii respectively. Of these, dry root rot and wilt are the most important diseases. The diagnostic symptoms of each of these five diseases are described. Research on control measures has so far focused on cultural practices such as dates of sowing and depth of sowing, chemical control by chemical seed dressing and development of resistant varieties. Research topics on wilt and root rots that need attention to improve the productivity of chickpea in Ethiopia are highlighted.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a significant legume crop, with Ethiopia being the largest producer in Africa and the fifth globally (FAO 2022). However, various factors, including plant-parasitic nematodes, reduce its yield. Among these, root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) pose a severe threat by causing root galling and stunted growth (Castillo et al. 2008). Despite the impact, research on plant-parasitic nematodes, their diversity and effect on chickpea yield in Ethiopia is limited (Kefelegn et al. 2024). In 2021, a survey was conducted to assess diversity of nematodes associated with chickpea in Ethiopia. Root-knot nematodes collected from galled chickpea roots of the 'Arerti' cultivar in the Minjar district, Ethiopia (8°54'21.1"N, 39°24'46.5"E), were identified as M. luci using multiple approaches. Esterase isozyme patterns of egg-laying females (n=10) were consistent with those described for M. luci by Carneiro et al. (2014) and Gerič Stare et al. (2017). PCR amplification with M. luci-specific primers (Maleita et al. 2021) confirmed its identity . Additionally, various sequences obtained from second-stage juveniles (J2), following the method described in Janssen et al. (2016) and Kefelegn et al. (2024): COX1 (PQ448335), Nad5 (PQ462657), COX2 (PQ619863) of mtDNA, and the D2-D3 region of 28S rDNA (PQ454017), were found identical to the M. luci sequences KU372172, KU372417, KU372211, and KX130766, respectively. Populations of M. luci were established from single egg masses and maintained on tomato plants (cv. 'Marmande'). To evaluate the pathogenicity of M. luci on the 'Arerti' chickpea cultivar, seedlings were inoculated with initial population densities (Pi) of 1000, 4000 and 8000 J2 (pot)-1 (2-liter capacity, n= 8) in a temperature controlled growth chamber in the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (ILVO), Belgium. After eight weeks, all inoculated plants exhibited stunted growth and visible root galling, consistent with typical field symptoms. The nematode reproduction factor (RF = final population (Pf) /initial population (Pi)) was calculated from the whole root and soil samples. Rf values were 31, 11.5 and 9.5 for Pi 1000, 4000 and 8000 J2 (pot)-1, respectively, corresponding to Pf values of 32000, 46000 and 76000 J2 (pot)-1, respectively. This clear pattern of increasing Pf with higher Pi levels, coupled with the declining RF trend, reflects the expected dynamics of a pathogenicity test. Nematodes extracted from the roots were reisolated and identified as M. luci using PCR amplification with M. luci-specific primers and esterase isozyme patterns analysis of egg-laying females (n = 10), confirming the species identity. These results confirmed that the 'Arerti' cultivar is a suitable host for M. luci. Meloidogyne luci has previously been reported in chickpea fields in Türkiye (Şen & Aydinli 2021), in common bean and soybean in Brazil (Bellé et al. 2016), and various horticultural crops in Europe (Gerič Stare et al. 2017). This study marks the first report of M. luci parasitizing chickpea roots in Ethiopia and its first documented occurrence in Africa. Therefore, further investigations are essential to determine the distribution of M. luci and assess its damage potential on legumes and other crops in Ethiopia and across Africa.

Helicoverpa armigera is a major pest of chickpea in Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides viz., Fastac, Spinosad, Indoxacarb, Diazinon, Runner, and Lambd...

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is classed among the most important leguminous crops of high economic value in Ethiopia. Two plant-parasitic nematode species, Pratylenchus delattrei and Quinisulcius capitatus, were recovered from chickpea-growing areas in Ethiopia and characterized using molecular and morphological data, including the first scanning electron microscopy data for P. delattrei. New sequences of D2-D3 of 28S, ITS rDNA and mtDNA COI genes have been obtained from these species, providing the first COI sequences for P. delattrei and Q. capitatus, with both species being found for the first time on chickpea in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Pratylenchus delattrei was recovered in Ethiopia for the first time. The information obtained about these nematodes will be crucial to developing effective nematode management plans for future chickpea production.

Podborer is a major pest of chickpea in Ethiopia. Field surveys were conducted in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 in central and northwestern Ethiopia to assess the prevalence and within field distribution of the pest. Although podborer was prevalent throughout the surveyed areas, there was a significant difference in larval density (0.10–3.75 larvae per m2) among zones and districts within zones. This variation was attributed to cropping history, cropping patterns, chickpea-crop adjacency, and weather (rainfall and temperature) conditions before and during the season as well as control measures applied. The optimum sample size required for precision ranged from 98, when podborer density was 10/m2, to 1045, when podborer density was ≤1/m2. Within field distribution of the larvae fitted a negative binomial distribution indicating that the larvae had a clumped/aggregated dispersion pattern. These results will enable chickpea stakeholders to develop and apply appropriate integrated crop management techniques for the control of podborer.

Aim. To determine the specificities of perennial dynamics in the number of the main corn insect pests in different natural and climatic zones of Ukraine under climate change. Methods. The field, laboratory, mathematical methods were used. The materials of the phytosanitary entomological monitoring of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Con- sumer Protection (2005–2021) in the basic 161 enterprises in Ukraine’s regions using methodologically standardized annual registrations of the main harmful organisms of agrocenoses (Borzykh еt al, 2018). Six groups of the main corn insect pests were investigated: corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner), wireworms (Elateridae) and false wireworms (Te- nebrionidae), cutworms (Noctuida), southern dusty surface beetle (Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyllenhal), cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner), and cereal aphids (Schizaphis graminum) Rondani. The database of the Hydrometeoro- logical Center of Ukraine was used to analyze climate parameters (2005–2021). The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using MS Excel and the linear correlation-regression analysis according to Pearson, Student’s criterion was used to evaluate the reliability (probability) of the correlation coefficients. Results. The results of correlational analysis of the state of populations of the main corn insect pests demonstrated that climate change has not considerably affected the number of corn borers as well as wireworms and false wireworms in all the natural and climatic zones of Ukraine yet. A reliable moderate reverse correlation (r = –0.309) was found between the number of cutworms and the sum of effective temperatures (SET) only for the Forest-Steppe conditions – under the increase in the SET, the number of these insects was smaller. The number of the southern dusty surface beetle was in direct, reliable, moderate correlation (r = 0.335) with the SET in the Steppe, for instance, the pest responded to the increase in the SET with the rise in its number. The number of cotton bollworms in Polissia was in reliable moderate correlation (r = –0.489) with the SET. The number of cereal aphids was in a reliable moderate direct correlation (r = 0.529) with the SET in Polissia: at the increase in the SET, the number of these pests was increasing. Conclusions. Conclusions: Climate changes do not considerably affect the state of the populations of the main corn insect pests in all the natural and climatic zones of Ukraine yet: we found the correlations between the number of insect pests and the SET which did not exceed such values as weak, moderate, and conspicuous. Significant changes in the state of insect pest populations should be expected if the sum of effective temperatures during the vegetation period will considerably affect the performance and feeding qualities of the cultivated plants.

Aim. To determine the specificities of perennial dynamics in the number of the main corn insect pests in different natural and climatic zones of Ukraine under climate change. Methods. The field, laboratory, mathematical methods were used. The materials of the phytosanitary entomological monitoring of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Con- sumer Protection (2005–2021) in the basic 161 enterprises in Ukraine’s regions using methodologically standardized annual registrations of the main harmful organisms of agrocenoses (Borzykh еt al, 2018). Six groups of the main corn insect pests were investigated: corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner), wireworms (Elateridae) and false wireworms (Te- nebrionidae), cutworms (Noctuida), southern dusty surface beetle (Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyllenhal), cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner), and cereal aphids (Schizaphis graminum) Rondani. The database of the Hydrometeoro- logical Center of Ukraine was used to analyze climate parameters (2005–2021). The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using MS Excel and the linear correlation-regression analysis according to Pearson, Student’s criterion was used to evaluate the reliability (probability) of the correlation coefficients. Results. The results of correlational analysis of the state of populations of the main corn insect pests demonstrated that climate change has not considerably affected the number of corn borers as well as wireworms and false wireworms in all the natural and climatic zones of Ukraine yet. A reliable moderate reverse correlation (r = –0.309) was found between the number of cutworms and the sum of effective temperatures (SET) only for the Forest-Steppe conditions – under the increase in the SET, the number of these insects was smaller. The number of the southern dusty surface beetle was in direct, reliable, moderate correlation (r = 0.335) with the SET in the Steppe, for instance, the pest responded to the increase in the SET with the rise in its number. The number of cotton bollworms in Polissia was in reliable moderate correlation (r = –0.489) with the SET. The number of cereal aphids was in a reliable moderate direct correlation (r = 0.529) with the SET in Polissia: at the increase in the SET, the number of these pests was increasing. Conclusions. Conclusions: Climate changes do not considerably affect the state of the populations of the main corn insect pests in all the natural and climatic zones of Ukraine yet: we found the correlations between the number of insect pests and the SET which did not exceed such values as weak, moderate, and conspicuous. Significant changes in the state of insect pest populations should be expected if the sum of effective temperatures during the vegetation period will considerably affect the performance and feeding qualities of the cultivated plants.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important winter season food legume in Ethiopia. Despite being a major producer and consumer of chickpeas, Ethiopia experiences lower yields due to biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly insect pest infestations during storage. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different storage technologies and durations on the losses of stored chickpea seeds in terms of both quantity and quality. The experiment involved five storage technologies and three durations, spanning a period of 6 months, with data collected at 2-month intervals. The results showed that the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) and Super GrainPro (SGP) bags effectively maintained intergranular temperature, seed moisture content, and relative humidity throughout the storage period, followed by the modified hermetic metal silo. In contrast, traditional bags exhibited a significant increase in these parameters. The PICS and SGP bags also exhibited the lowest numbers of total insect pests after 6 months, while the jute bags had the highest infestation. Common insect species found in the stored chickpea seeds were Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and Tribolium confusum (duVal). Furthermore, hermetic bags (PICS and SGP) demonstrated the least grain damage and weight loss, while jute bags had relatively higher values. Seed viability was well maintained in hermetic bags but significantly decreased in traditional bags. Overall, hermetic storage technologies, such as the PICS and SGP bags, effectively suppressed insect development, reduced losses, and preserved seed viability without the need for insecticides. It is recommended that farmers use these hermetic storage bags after proper drying to enhance food security and income generation. By implementing these recommendations, Ethiopia can enhance its chickpea storage practices, reduce post-harvest losses, and contribute to improved food security and economic sustainability in the chickpea sector. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubn) is one of the most destructive insect pests of chickpea in Ethiopia. For sustainable management of insect pests of food crops, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely used bioinsecticide. This study was aimed at exploring indigenous Bt isolates that harbour cry genes to control H. armigera. Ten indigenous Bt isolates were analyzed for their cry genes. Accordingly, all the indigenous Bt isolates were observed to harbour two or more cry genes. Statistically significant (p<0.05) variations were observed among Bt species in influencing larval incidence, pod damage (%) and grain yield (t/ ha). Three potential indigenous Bt isolates were identified with their respective cry genes that included KDL (cry2 + cry4), AUGHS-1 (cry1 + cry4), and AUSD-1 (cry1 + cry2 + cry4 + cry7, 8 + cry9). Indigenous Bt isolates exhibited a strong potential in the management of chickpea pod borer. Development of commercial bioinsecticide and other Bt technologies using B. thuringiensis from Ethiopian sources will be a new avenue to be addressed.

Pathogenecity testing of indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis isolates against chickpea pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College, Raichur, Karnataka to evaluate the effect of Heterorhabditis indica (RCR), an insect parasitic nematode in combination with other entomopathogens and botanicals against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in chickpea ecosystem. Pooled data on per cent larval reduction after two sprays revealed that the highest reduction of 47.63 was achieved in chlorpyriphos/quinalphos (0.04/0.05%) treatment at seven days after spraying. However, sequential application of H. indica + Pa. pinnata (1.0 lakh IJs +2.5%) and H. indica + Pr. juliflora (1.0 lakh Us +10%) recorded maximum yield (1.96 and 1.83 kg/plot, respectively) with minimum pod damage (10.9 and 11.5 %, respectively). Thus there is a scope for integration of H. indica with botanicals viz. Pa. pinnata and Pr. juliflora for the effective management of chickpea pod borer.

Three districts namely Gimbichu, Lume-Ejere, Minjar-Shenkora were selected by a combination of stratified and purposive sampling methods were surveyed. From each of these 3 districts 8 kebeles (wards) were selected ,from which a total of 700 households (400 households covered under the TL-II project (Gimbichu, Minjar-Shenkora) and 300 household under the IFAD project(Lume- Ejere)) . Besides these data was also collected from 40 other villages from 26 other kabels (wards). While the larger dataset was used to understand the broader production and market constraints for Chickpea in Ethiopia, the data obtained from the survey was used for evaluating the impact and adoption of the TL 2 PROJECT.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most popular vegetables in many regions of the world. Pulses are important sources of protein for vegetarian population. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) commonly known as gram is an important pulse crop. In Tunisia, the cultivated area and production have significant instability and decrease, the chickpea crop was affected by biotic and abiotic constraints. The major diseases affecting chickpea are Ascochyta rabiei, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani. R. solani is an important component of the disease complex that causes seedling blight and root rot on pea; it also causes root rot in plants of many pulse crops when they are weakened by other stress factors (Singh & Mehrotra, 1982). The pod borers, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), sap-sucking pests [especially Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] and bruchid beetles belonging to the genus Callosobruchus (C. chinensis Linnaeus, C. maculates Fabricius, C. analis Fabricius) cause some damage to chickpea. The presence of Orobanche spp. in some chickpea growing areas is considered as a limiting factor to the expansion of the crop. Genetic resistance is considered the most desirable control method since it is more cost effective and environment friendly than the use of chemicals. In this chapter we review developments in integrated management of insect pests, of parasitic broomrape plants, of the main disease-causing fungi, and of root-lesion and stem nematodes on chickpea.

An experiment on chickpea was conducted to determine the “Behavioral study of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) and its management in chickpea, Cicer arietinum” during rabi season of 2021-2022 at the Organic research farm Kargunwa ji, Department of Entomology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). The population of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera was monitored using pheromone trap installed in the chickpea field in variety of RVG-202. During the year the adult male moth activities were recorded in 7th standard week (early pod formation stage) to 12th standard week (pod maturity stage). The number of moth caught per day in the pheromone traps increased steadily during the early morning with a skewed distribution and a peak catch of the moth (49.6%) was observed between 05.00 h and 07.00 h, followed by a gradual decrease to dawn. This was suspended to the roof of the trap, at a height of 1.5 m. above the ground nearer to the crop canopy. Efficacy of different plant protection options viz., Neem oil @ 3 ml/lit, NPV @ 2 ml/lit, Fixing bird perches @ One perch-1, Lemon grass oil @ 7 ml/lit, Ginger and Garlic extract @ 50 ml/lit and Annona leaf extract @ 50 gm/lit were evaluated against the pest. Observations recorded on Helicoverpa armigera populations were recorded from five randomly selected plants in each plot before and after 3, 7 and 11 days of spraying. The results revealed that all treatments were significantly superior over control.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two most virulent native isolates of insect pathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) and compared with four commercial biopesticides against Chickpea pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) at Chitwan, Nepal. The number of H. armigera lavae observed in plots treated with M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were significantly lesser than the control plots during vegetative, flowering and pod setting stage of chickpea. Similarly, the chickpea yield was significantly higher in the plots treated with M. anisopliae and B. bassiana than control, however lesser than NPV and Bt treated plots. Based on this study, the native isolates have potential to be a biocontrol agent against the H. armigera in Nepal.