Push-Pull Strategy: an integrated approach to manage insect-pest and weed infestation in cereal cropping systems

Abstract

The “Push–Pull” strategy is an effective, efficient, and powerful tool in integrated pest management (IPM) that is combining several behaviour-modifying stimuli to control cereal stem borers and the noxious weed Striga in cereal-based farming systems in Africa. This technology involves driving away from the cereal stemborers from the main crop by using stimuli of repellent intercrops (push) that mask host apparency and simultaneously stemborers are attracted by highly apparent and attractive stimuli from trap plants (pull). The fodder legume, Desmodium (D. uncinatum and D. intortum), and Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora) are used as the repellent intercrop, which is repugnant to stemborer moths. On the other hand, Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Sudangrass (sorghum vulgare sudanese) is planted as a border crop used as the trap plant (pull). Chemicals that are released by the roots of the Desmodium intercrop induce abortive germination of seeds of noxious Striga weeds, providing very effective control of this weed. Napier grass and Molasses grass also provide high-value animal fodder that facilities milk production, diversifying sources of farmers’ income. Besides, this technology helps to improve soil fertility and prevent soil erosion that leads to increased grain yield in the future. Chemicals that are released by the roots of the Desmodium intercrop induce abortive germination of seeds of noxious Striga weeds, providing very effective control of this weed.