Integrated management of Striga hermonthica and cereal stemborers in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) through intercropping with Desmodium intortum

Abstract

We evaluated the potential role of greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., in the combined management of Striga hermonthica and cereal stemborers in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) in western Kenya between 2007 and 2008. Treatments comprised finger millet planted either as monocrop stands or intercropped with D. intortum. S. hermonthica counts were significantly lower in the intercrop than in the monocrop plots. Similarly, multi-season analyses showed that the proportions of stemborer-damaged plants were significantly lower in the intercrop than in the monocrop. These differences were associated with significantly higher grain yields in the intercrop than in the monocrop. Total labour and variable costs were significantly higher in the intercrop resulting from the additional seed cost and labour to plant, manage and harvest D. intortum. However, total revenue and gross margins were significantly higher in the intercrop due to the higher finger millet grain yields and additional product, D. intortum forage, part of which is consumed by farmers' own livestock or used for own plot extension, and the remaining amount is sold. Our results demonstrate that intercropping finger millet with D. intortum offers an effective means of control of both pests, leading to higher grain yields and economic returns.