Abstract
Predacious phytoseiid mites, Euseius kenyae (Swirski and Ragusa) plays a major role in management of coffee thrips and other pests such as Phytophygous mites in coffee. Their conservation under various agro-ecosystems remains importance. An assessment on effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer sources on augmentation and conservation of E. kenyae was carried out at Coffee Research Station (CRS), Ruiru. Compound organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied on mature coffee trees as the treatments. There were no biocides sprayed to control the coffee pests. The population of E. kenyae was assessed monthly. Fertilizers significantly increased the number of E. kenyae. The mites’ population initially increased and thereafter leveled out. The population of E. kenyae was increased by 2.3, 1.8 and 1.3 folds under organic compost, N.P.K. 22:6:12 and N.P.K. 17:17:17 respectively when compared with control. Temperature and rainfall fluctuations affected the population of E. kenyae either positively or negatively. To enhance conservation of E. kenyae under coffee growing agro-ecosystems, farmers are encouraged to use organic manure. This will benefit the management of coffee thrips and other insect pests as well as the conservation of environment. Key words: Predacious phytoseiid mites, Euseius kenyae, organic compost, inorganic fertilizers, agro-ecosystems.
Highlights
Coffee is the most important commodity in the international agricultural trade, representing a significant source of income to several Latin American, African and Asian countries (DaMatta, 2004)
Fertilizers significantly increased the number of E. kenyae
The population of E. kenyae during the start of the trial was below one (Figure 1). This significantly increased with time in all the treatments
Summary
Coffee is the most important commodity in the international agricultural trade, representing a significant source of income to several Latin American, African and Asian countries (DaMatta, 2004). It is the second most important legally traded commodity in the world after oil with a worldwide value worth about US$ 80 billion (International Coffee Organization, 2011). It is a major export earner in about 80 tropical and sub tropical countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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