Demonstration of Apron Star 42 WS Seed Dressing Chemical against Cutworm (<i>Agrotis segtum</i>) on Chickpea using Farmer Research Group Approach at Dembia Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is the largest chickpea growing country in Africa. Most of the chickpea production is used for domestic consumption as well as for substantial export. However, the national average grain yield in Ethiopia has remained extremely low and owing to different biological and physical constraints. Among these, insect pests have special influence on low level of production and productivity. Cutworm (Agrotis spp.) is one of the important pests of chickpea during seedling stage in Ethiopia and feed on the roots during the day and at night move up to the soil surface and attack seedlings. The trial was conducted in farmer’s field with supplementary irrigation at Guramba Michael locality of Dembia district since 2010 to evaluate and determine the efficacy of Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical against cutworm during seedling stage of the crop. The research was followed Farmer Research Group approach to evaluate the intervention based on evaluation criteria of farmers. The experiment was initiated with two treatments such as seeds treated with Apron star 42 WS and seeds not treated with Apron Star 42 WS used as control. Arerti improved chickpea variety was used for each treatment and tested by using simple paired comparison design. Plot size was 10 m × 10 m use. Plot received seeds treated with Apron Star chemical showed early seedlings emergence, vigorous growth, deep green leaves and stout stem with large number of branches as well as large number of seedlings 15 days after emerged (28 per meter square) and least number of damaged plants by cutworm (3 per meter square). However, Plot received seeds not treated with Apron Star chemical showed late seedlings emergence, slow growth, yellowish leaves and week stem with less number of branches as well as least number of seedlings 15 days after emerged (17 per meter square) and large number of damaged plants by cutworm (10 per meter square). Both treatments were not shown significant differences in the case of stand counting at emergence and number of plants attacked by wilt root rot disease. Most members of the Farmer Research Group indicated that the improved variety, the seed dressing chemical and the research approach used for evaluation of the intervention were very attractive and useful for chickpea growers where the cutworm is the major bottleneck. Therefore, using seeds treated with Apron star 42 WS seed dressing chemical was effective for the control of cutworm as well as suitable for practicing early sowing time of chickpea to get enough yields.