Abstract
BackgroundPanicle-feeding insects are a challenge in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation but most farmers do not protect the crop. Here, the effects of pest management in different sorghum cultivars on grain yields and the financial returns after protecting the crop from panicle-feeding insects was studied.ResultsThere were significant insecticide treatments × cultivars/genotypes interaction effects for Stenodiplosis sorghicola, Clavigralla tomentosicollis, Nezara viridula, Dysdercus fasciantus and Riptortus dentipes. Generally, pest infestations were higher in the untreated control compared to K-Optimal- or NSO-treated sorghum. Infestations were also higher in compact-headed cultivars (Dorado and Kapaala) compared to those with open heads (CSSOR 08-V01 and CSSOR 10-V07). Damage was approximately 1.7-fold higher in the untreated controls than in NSO or K-Optimal. Grain yields were about 14% higher in NSO or K-Optimal treated sorghum than in controls. Gross margins were between 16- and 35-fold higher in protected sorghum compared to the untreated ones.ConclusionThese findings suggest that an effective integrated pest management strategy for sorghum farmers must comprise cultivars that do not have compact heads, and the use of about two sprays of NSO or a synthetic pyrethroid when high numbers of panicle-feeding insects are observed during the growing season. Judicious use of insecticides and the “right” cultivar will improve the profitability of sorghum farmers with gross marginal returns that are at least 15-fold higher than that obtained by farmers who adopt only good agronomic practices without insecticide sprays.
Highlights
Panicle-feeding insects are a challenge in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation but most farmers do not protect the crop
Insect pest abundance Insect pest recorded over the two seasons comprised Stenodiplosis sorghicola, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Ställion, Dysdercus fasciantus Signoret, Nezara viridula, Riptortus dentipes (Fabricius), Pachnoda interrupta, Anoplocnemis curvipes (Fabricius) and Poophilus costalis Walker
Pest infestations in 2017 cropping season The results showed significant Insecticide treatments (F2,33 = 239.99; p < 0.001), Cultivars/Genotypes (F3,33 = 15.08; p < 0.001) and Insecticide × Cultivars/ Genotypes (F6,33 = 6.21; p < 0.001) interaction effects for the abundance of S. sorghicola
Summary
Panicle-feeding insects are a challenge in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation but most farmers do not protect the crop. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a tropical cereal grass cultivated across the world in areas with warmer climate. It is an important food grain for many of the most food insecure people in the world (Mundia et al 2019; Taylor 2003). The crop is mainly consumed as Nboyine et al Bull Natl Res Cent (2021) 45:157 almost 70% of total production This cereal is adapted to arid regions on the continent that are mostly characterized by harsh weather conditions. Sorghum cultivation in Africa is largely at a subsistence level This notwithstanding, it is increasingly becoming the foundation of successful food and beverage industries (Taylor 2003)
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