Animal Pests Research Articles

Recent leptospirosis outbreak: an urgent warning around the globe, genomic features, diagnosis, and treatment procedures-correspondence.

Recent leptospirosis outbreak: an urgent warning around the globe, genomic features, diagnosis, and treatment procedures-correspondence.

PENGARUH AIR LINDI (LEACHATE) TERHADAP KUALITAS AIR PERMUKAAN DI SEKITAR TPA KOTA SORONG

Waste has been a serious problem from the past until now. Waste contains pollutants both organic and inorganic. The waste decomposes naturally, but the results of the decomposition are scattered in the garbage pile. Piles of garbage produce a liquid called leachate. Such leachate water contains organic matter and heavy metals. Rainwater has a role as a solvent medium to carry pollutants from waste decomposition, if not managed properly pollutants in leachate water will pollute river water, air, growing pest animals and vector diseases so as to cause various environmental problems and negative impacts on health for those who use it around the Sorong City Landfill (TPA) location because leachate can enter and flow through soil pores and surface water in excessive amounts or concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the condition of surface water quality around the Sorong City Landfill (TPA) and identify the influence of leachate from the Sorong City Landfill (TPA) on the quality of surface water around the landfill with water samples taken, namely river water based on PP No. 82 of 2001 concerning Water Quality management and Water Pollution Control and KEPMEN LH No.51 of 1995 concerning Liquid Waste Quality Standards. The benefits of this research include being able to determine the quality of surface water around the Sorong City Landfill (TPA), as information material for residents living around the Sorong City landfill who use the water such as river water, as a basis for the arrangement of landfills (TPA) and the management of leachate wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) so that they are not directly discharged into the environment. In addition, this research is expected to be able to answer problems using methods that have been selected based on studies from previous research or research.

Gauging landholder attitudes and willingness towards koala conservation in a Central Queensland region

ABSTRACT The Australian Government recently ‘upgraded’ the status of the koala across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland from vulnerable to endangered. This change is a result of the impact of prolonged drought, bushfires, and the cumulative impacts of disease, urbanisation and habitat loss. In contrast, little is known about the status of koalas in the Clarke-Connors Ranges in Central Queensland. Land-use here is dominated by agriculture, in particular cattle-grazing, and extractive industries. A community-based postal survey of 160 landholders was undertaken between October 2021 and March 2022, with the intention to gauge attitudes and willingness towards koala conservation. The survey (∼14.86 per cent response-rate) revealed that landholders were generally aware of koalas living in the area. Most respondents perceived that today koala numbers are higher than in the past, or at least stable. The main concerns for koala survival were the threat posed by vehicles. Roaming dogs, pest animals and habitat loss were also mentioned. Support for habitat protection and restoration measures was expressed. We reflect that conservation is not just the responsibility of landholders but also of the wider community and we encourage the gauging of attitudes, awareness and behavioural change of koala conservation in the broader community.

Effects of Climate Change on Animal Husbandry

Climate has a significant impact on agricultural production. According to scientific data, climate change is having a growing impact on the planet's life, and different regions of the world are experiencing this impact in different ways. The greatest challenge to achieving sustainable development is climate change, which also poses a serious risk to the survival of humanity. It will have far-reaching consequences within the context of animal production, and particularly in regions of vital importance to the world's nutrition and livelihoods. All species have ideal climatic parameters for survival in animal husbandry, and changes to these variables have a negative impact on the quality and quantity of farm animals and animal products. There are four key areas where the effects of climate change on animal productivity can be studied. These include effects on pasture quality, effects on animal diseases and pests, effects on animal health, growth, and reproduction. They also include implications on the availability, quality, and price of feed crops. Planning for the sector's future is crucial in order to meet the population's food needs, lessen the impact of climate change on livestock output, and reduce the sector's contribution to global warming. Adapting animal husbandry to climate change is required to reduce all these harmful effects.

Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Science: A Review

Nanotechnology acquires great attentions in the last few years because of its broad applications in the medicines and drugs like tumor detection, cosmetics and materials. Nanotechnology is memorized as a growing technology because of its applications and functions due to nanoparticles’ size range between 1-100 nm. Nanomaterials are gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional pesticides, with promising results in the roles of plant growth stimulants, insecticides and fertilizers. Nanotechnology has been applied to several areas of agriculture, including crop enhancement, plant disease detection, weed and pest management, soil, water remediation, animal health and breeding, and more. Simultaneously, nanotechnology has also become increasingly significant in the food industries too. Particularly engaging for food packaging purposes are silver nanoparticles, and nanotechnology is currently being utilized to use in the food business for purposes among them processing, quality monitoring and packaging. As a result, this review concentrates on the synthesis and uses of nanoparticles in the food and agricultural industries. Despite several studies suggesting that nanoparticles have applications in the food and agriculture industries, more studies are needed to convey the significance of nanoparticles in these fields.

The Sentinel Bait Station: an automated, intelligent design pest animal baiting system

Context Ground baiting is a strategic method for reducing vertebrate pest populations. Best practice involves maximising bait availability to the target species, although sustaining this availability is resource intensive because baits need to be replaced each time they are taken. This study focused on improving pest population management through the novel baiting technique outlined in this manuscript, although there is potential use across other species and applications (e.g. disease management). Aims To develop and test an automated, intelligent, and semi-permanent, multi-bait dispenser that detects target species before distributing baits and provides another bait when a target species revisits the site. Methods We designed and field tested the Sentinel Bait Station, which comprises a camera trap with in-built species-recognition capacity, wireless communication and a dispenser with the capacity for five baits. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed and validated via laboratory simulation with images collected by the camera. The prototype was then evaluated in the field under real-world conditions with wild-living canids, using non-toxic baits. Key results Field testing achieved 19 automatically offered baits with seven bait removals by canids. The underlying image recognition algorithm yielded an accuracy of 90%, precision of 83%, sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 96% throughout field testing. The response time of the system, from the point of motion detection (within 6–10 m and the field-of-view of the camera) to a bait being offered to a target species, was 9.81 ± 2.63 s. Conclusion The Sentinel Bait Station was able to distinguish target species from non-target species. Consequently, baits were successfully deployed to target species and withheld from non-target species. Therefore, this proof-of-concept device is able to successfully provide baits to successive targets from secure on-board storage, thereby overcoming the need for daily bait replacement. Implications The proof-of-concept Sentinel Bait Station design, together with the findings and observations from field trials, confirmed the system can deliver multiple baits and increase the specificity in which baits are presented to the target species using artificial intelligence. With further refinement and operational field trials, this device will provide another tool for practitioners to utilise in pest management programs.

Potential spring canola yield losses due to weeds in Canada and the United States

AbstractWeeds represent one of the most important biotic threats to agricultural plant health, and the potential global impact of weeds on crop yields is similar to that of all other pests (animal pests and pathogens) combined. Canola is the most-grown crop in Canada based on seeded area and generates on average Can$29.9 billion in economic activity each year. The objective of this report, sponsored by the Weed Science Society of America Weed Loss Committee, was to provide an updated estimate of potential yield and monetary losses due to weed interference in spring canola grown in Canada and the United States. Quantitative yield data from field experiments were provided by researchers and weed science professionals in the northern Great Plains region; the major canola-producing area of North America. Overall, 89 yield loss estimates were compiled, covering the 18-yr period from 2003 to 2020. Average canola yield losses due to weed interference in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and North Dakota were 35%, 30%, 18%, and 28%, respectively. Potential yield losses weighted by canola harvested area averaged 30%, 28%, and 30% for Canada, the United States, and both countries combined, respectively. Therefore, unfettered weed interference in spring canola represents a potential monetary loss of Can$2.21 billion, $0.16 billion, and $2.37 billion for farmers in Canada, the United States, and both countries combined. The realization of such losses could manifest through continued selection for herbicide-resistant weeds, indicating the critical need for canola farmers to diversify resistance selection pressures by implementing proactive integrated weed management programs.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus annulatus from selected states of southern India

Ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus infesting cattle are the primary animal pests responsible for the annual economic loss of billions of dollars. Due to the morphological resemblance among the members of the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) genus, species identification is very difficult. In this study, the adult R. annulatus and R. microplus ticks from two south Indian states viz., Kerala and Karnataka were subjected to morphological and molecular characterization. The R. microplus isolates from south India differed morphologically from true R. microplus clade A ticks. The ventral spur on the first pedipalp observed in male R. microplus was similar to that of R. australis. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the R. microplus from these states clustered with R. microplus clade C. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) was identified as the preferred molecular marker compared to the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The interspecific divergence between R. microplus and R. annulatus isolates from South India was 7.9 per cent based on COI. Moreover, based on COI, the R. microplus isolates revealed higher intraspecific divergence (2.9%) than R. annulatus (1%). The ITS2 sequences failed to differentiate R. microplus and R. annulatus.

Novel community assembly and the control of a fungal pathogen in coffee agroecosystems

Ecological principles are frequently leveraged when considering the control of animal pests of crops. Still, pathogens have not generated similar research despite the current interest in the field of disease ecology. Here we use the most economically significant pathogen of coffee, the coffee leaf rust, Hemileia vastatrix, to understand the role of top-down control in its regulation. Large-scale sampling of the pathogen and its natural enemy community in Puerto Rico and Mexico reveal striking differences in the potential for biological control. Four main natural enemies are identified, a fungal parasite, a dipteran fungivore, a mite fungivore, and a snail generalist in Puerto Rico, with only two occurring frequently in Mexico. We suggest that the community of natural enemies is potentially an important mechanism contributing to the maintenance of the pathogen at relatively benign levels in Puerto Rico. We provide evidence that management is a contributing factor and is perhaps operative in part through its effect on the natural enemies of the pathogen. This work has applied significance not only for coffee production in Puerto Rico but also for understanding how this pathogen may be controlled in areas where it has been, and potentially will be, at epidemic status.

Chitosan and nematophagous fungi for sustainable management of nematode pests.

Plants are exposed to large number of threats caused by herbivores and pathogens which cause important losses on crops. Plant pathogens such as nematodes can cause severe damage and losses in food security crops worldwide. Chemical pesticides were extendedly used for nematode management. However, due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment, they are now facing strong limitations by regulatory organisations such as EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative and efficient control measures, such as biological control agents or bio-based plant protection compounds. In this scenario, chitosan, a non-toxic polymer obtained from seafood waste mainly, is becoming increasingly important. Chitosan is the N-deacetylated form of chitin. Chitosan is effective in the control of plant pests and diseases. It also induces plants defence mechanisms. Chitosan is also compatible with some biocontrol microorganisms mainly entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi. Some of them are antagonists of nematode pests of plants and animals. The nematophagous biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia has been widely studied for sustainable management of nematodes affecting economically important crops and for its capability to grow with chitosan as only nutrient source. This fungus infects nematode eggs using hyphal tips and appressoria. Pochonia chlamydosporia also colonizes plant roots endophytically, stimulating plant defences by induction of salicylic and jasmonic acid biosynthesis and favours plant growth and development. Therefore, the combined use of chitosan and nematophagous fungi could be a novel strategy for the biological control of nematodes and other root pathogens of food security crops.

State‐wide prioritisation of vertebrate pest animals in Queensland, Australia

Invasive organisms are key drivers of environmental change globally. Both native and non‐native species can become pests that require management or control. Vertebrate pest animals may cause a range of economic, environmental and social impacts for which various plans are developed at a local, state and national scale to aid their management. There are multiple vertebrate pest species in Australia which vary in the type and severity of their negative effects. Prioritisation of these pests and their impacts is critical for management to be cost‐effective. We accessed pest management plans (PMPs) from 66 (of 71) local government areas (LGAs) across the state of Queensland to collate a list of vertebrate pest species present in each LGA. Local government areas were then grouped into easily identifiable regions (Regional Organisation of Councils, ‘ROC’ regions, 10 in all) and vertebrate pest species lists were collated for each region. At regional workshops, each pest species was ranked as no, low, medium or high priority by stakeholders. Rankings were used to develop impact scores resulting in a priority list of vertebrate pest animal species at the state level. Fifty‐three species were identified in individual LGA PMPs of which 25 were considered priorities at the regional level. Most species prioritised at the state level were mammals, with Wild Dogs (including Dingoes; Canis familiaris), Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) and Feral Cats (Felis catus) being the three highest ranked. Similarities in priority species were evident across ROC regions, however, several regions prioritised pests specific to their location. The data supported a further amalgamation of the 10 ROC regions into five main groups based on the set of vertebrate pest species that were present. Prioritisation lists should be regularly updated as technologies develop, established pest animal impacts change and new species incursions occur.

VKORC1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in rodents in Spain

Rodents are considered one of the animal pests with the greatest impact on agricultural production and public health. Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), used as one of the most effective ways to control rodent populations worldwide, inhibit the vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKORC1) enzyme involved in blood coagulation. Resistances to ARs are mainly associated with mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vkorc1 gene. Since the information on this subject is scarce in Spain, we monitored and discovered rodent SNPs that could favour genetic resistance in its populations. For that, more than 200 samples of stools and tails from brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), black rat (Rattus rattus) and mouse (Mus musculus) were collected from 12 Spanish regions previously identified with low AR efficacy in coordination with the National Association of Environmental Sanitation Companies (ANECPLA) and the managing entities of four locations. We then sequenced their vkorc1 exon 3 corresponding genomic DNA. We identified genotypic vkorc1 variations corresponding to amino acid changes at the VKORC1 protein at the S149I – S149T and the E155K - E155Q mutations, depending on the rodent species. Computational analysis of binding predictions found out that the brown rat S149I mutation predicted a high reduction of the binding affinity of chlorophacinone and brodifacoum ARs while, the black rat S149T, E155K and E155Q mutations slightly reduced bromadiolone AR binding. These results suggest that these mutations may be one of the causes of the increased resistance to those ARs.

Molluscicidal and biochemical effects of green-synthesized F-doped ZnO nanoparticles against land snail Monacha cartusiana under laboratory and field conditions

The glass clover snail, Monacha cartusiana (M. cartusiana) is one of the most seriously impacting economic animal pests spreading across Egypt which inflicts severe damages to the agriculture. A green route is developed by deploying an abundant Rosemary plant leaves aqueous extract to synthesize ZnO and F-doped ZnO (F–ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) that display high molluscicidal activities against the M. cartusiana land snails via leaf dipping and contact techniques. The effect of lethal concentrations, that kills 50% of exposed snails (LC50) value of the treatments, is examined on the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), enzymes, total protein (TP), total lipids (TL) and cholesterol level of snails, including the histopathological evaluation of the digestive gland and foot of M. Cartusiana. Their molluscicidal activity as poisonous baits under field conditions is also evaluated and compared to the recommended molluscicide, Neomyl. The results show that F− doping dramatically improves the snail control capability of ZnO NPs, and promotes a considerable increase in both ALT and AST enzymes with an enhancement of TL and Cholesterol levels, but a significant decrease in TP content and ALP activity in treated snails compared to the control group. The LC50 values are found to be 1381.55 and 2197.59 ppm using the leaf dipping for F–ZnO and ZnO, while 237.51 and 245.90 ppm can be achieved using the contact technique, respectively. The greenly synthesized F–ZnO and ZnO NPs induce severe histological alterations in the digestive gland and foot of M. cartusiana, including a complete destruction of the digestive tubules. The histological evaluation of the foot of M. cartusiana exposed to ZnO, shows a rupture of the epithelial layer of the foot sole, while F– ZnO NPs causes the folds of the foot becoming deeper and the rupture of epithelial layer. Our field experiments further demonstrate that F–ZnO achieves 60.08% reduction, while ZnO attains 56.39% diminution in snail population compared to the commercial, Neomyl (69.55%), exhibiting great potentials in controlling the harmful land snail populations.

Evaluation on Biosecurity Applications of Dairy Farms in Bursa Provinces-II

Biosecurity is focused on reducing, preventing and minimizing the spread of animal diseases or pests on a farm. Biosecurity action plans need to be considered mainly in farms where disease agents can be carried by a variety of sources such as personnel, consultants, buying cows, consumables, feedstuffs and vehicles. The concept of biological risk management recognizes that animal diseases cannot be completely eliminated, but that producers can manage disease risk through effective control measures. In the study, the farms and districts with 20 heads and above in Bursa province, which are registered in the Türkvet and herd book-program database were determined. The farms in these 5 districts (Mustafakemalpaşa, Yenişehir, Karacabey, Nilüfer and Osmangazi) are grouped according to their number of animal. In this context, the farms are divided into 4 layers: 20-50 head, 51-100 head, 101-300 head and 300 head above cattle. The farms were determined and the farms within the population size were chosen and visited randomly by stratified sampling method. During the farms visits, questions were asked to reveal the border security of the farms, animal movements, applications for visitors and the protection of feed and water resources.

Farmers’ values for land, trees and biodiversity underlie agricultural sustainability

Tree-dominated, forest gardens (FGs) are an ancient, tropical agricultural land use that farmers continue to practice and value. Knowing why farmers value FGs is important because this can increase livelihood security and the skillful governance of land. We chose Sri Lanka to investigate farmers’ values for land, contextual factors that effect valuation, stressors that impact agriculture, and farmers’ current and future response strategies. Mixed methods were used to collect data from 85 farming households in landholdings across nine locations of the Intermediate agroecological zone (1750–2500 mm). Landholdings comprise land uses with short-term, annual, and semi-perennial crops (paddy, swidden, and cash crop plots) and long-term, perennial or tree crops (FGs, plantations). Farmers’ values were categorised, ranked, and aligned with Utility, Environmental, Aesthetic, Intrinsic, Option and Bequest themes of the Total Economic Value framework (TEV). Farmers give the highest importance to Utility (income, food) and Environmental (friendly biodiversity, leaf litter and soil fertility) values mainly from tree crops. Timber and fuelwood are biological assets that can be optionally converted to cash. Farmers have Intrinsic values (contentment, tranquility, pride) for land bequeathed to future generations. Nevertheless, since livelihoods are stressed by climate variability and extreme events, animal and insect pests, and labour scarcities, farmers adopt diverse response strategies. Of these, farmers favour long-term crop cultivation because trees are relatively resilient to droughts, floods, animal, and insect pests, and require less labour. This study validates why farmers’ pluralistic values for land, trees, and biodiversity must be integrated into national decision- and policy-making for agriculture, forest and biodiversity conservation.

Unmanned aerial vehicles as a useful tool for investigating animal movements

Abstract Determining animal abundance is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of management measures against pest animals. Meanwhile, investigating animal movements has become important for conducting abundance estimations of unmarked animals since the random encounter model (REM) was published. REM is a camera trapping method that derives animal density by using contact ratio between camera traps and targeted animals that randomly move at a certain speed in a given area. However, it requires an independent value, which is animal speed. For investigating animal speed, camera traps with video recording and GPS tagging are the commonly used tools. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently used in wildlife monitoring to investigate the abundance of target species. It is evaluated as a tool that is non‐invasive and suitable for surveys in inaccessible landscapes. Considering these characteristics, we regarded a distant survey using this technology as suitable for investigating animal movements. Therefore, we proposed a method for estimating animal movements using UAVs and conducted a case study that aimed to investigate wild boars' movements. We collected 11 video samples that successfully followed the movements of wild boars from 26 UAV flights in total, and the average speed of their movements derived from all the samples was 1.54 km/24 hr. We found that issues can be improved, including species identification, video sample length, and animal behaviours or activity patterns. On the other hand, our method showed potential for applying to species with specific characteristics in their body size, shape or activity patterns. With improvements in the issues mentioned above, UAVs would become an alternative tool for investigating animal movements.

Weather, climate, and agriculture: Historical contributions and perspectives from agricultural meteorology

AbstractAll over the world, farming communities need to adapt to a changing climate. At the same time, they are confronted by the necessity to increase food availability for a growing population, but also to ensure a sustainable use of natural resources. In this process, agriculture is not just the fiend responsible for an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, nor the victim of rising temperatures and extreme weather events. Agriculture is also an ally in climate change mitigation and adaptation because the selection of ad hoc crop varieties and livestock can lower the environmental impact of farming and the implementation of better management practices can promote soil conservation. Whether agriculture will have a positive or a negative impact on climate change adaptation and mitigation will depend on the rural policies implemented, but it will also be contingent on an adequate understanding of the interconnections existing between weather, climate, and farming. This review explores such interconnections by focusing on the history of agricultural meteorology, which is the research field that studies the impact of weather and climate on crops, livestock, farming operations, and plant and animal pests and diseases. The article discusses stakeholders, institutions, and main developments in agricultural meteorology, and describes how the agenda of agricultural meteorology has shifted over time. At the beginning of the 20th century, research in agricultural meteorology focused on increasing the profitability of farming. In the 21st century, instead, the main goal of agricultural meteorology is to ensure food security and guarantee sustainability.This article is categorized under:Climate, History, Society, Culture > Disciplinary Perspectives

Scientific Assessment of the Welfare of Trapped Mammals-Key Considerations for the Use of the Sharp and Saunders Humaneness Assessment Model.

Simple SummaryThe use of traps is key to the success of many wildlife management programs but the species trapped, type of trap used and its application will influence the impacts it has on animal welfare. Scientific assessment of the impacts of trapping on mammal welfare is necessary to justify the use of traps, aid trap selection, improve trap performance and develop international standards. The Sharp and Saunders humaneness assessment model was developed for the purpose of assessing the relative humaneness of a range of pest animal control methods and has been used to assess the welfare impacts of trapping on various mammal species. The model is based on the established Five Domains model, the structure of which represents the understanding that an animal’s welfare state arises due to the sum of its mental experiences which may include pain, breathlessness, thirst or fear, among many others. Here we make key recommendations for those wishing to apply the Sharp and Saunders model to scientifically assess the welfare impacts of traps. Consideration of these points will help optimize the value of information produced using the model to support ethical wildlife management practice and policy and retain social acceptance of management programs that involve trapping.Scientific assessment of the impacts of trapping on mammal welfare is necessary to inform cost-benefit analyses of using traps in wildlife management, improve trap performance and trapping processes and develop international trap standards. The Sharp and Saunders humaneness assessment model was developed specifically for assessing welfare impacts in vertebrate wildlife management and has been used to assess the impacts of trapping various mammals. It is a specific version of the more general Five Domains model for welfare assessment which is based on the understanding that welfare state reflects the sum of the animal’s mental experiences. Our experience of applying the Sharp and Saunders model allows us to make key recommendations for those wishing to use it. First, the exact parameters of the trapping scenario to be assessed must be decided. Second, assessments should be based on published data, as well as integrating both scientific and practitioner expertise to provide rigorous and relevant outcomes. Third, conclusions about welfare impacts should be based on the appropriate indicators. As far as is possible, mental experiences should be inferred using animal-based indicators, and some representation should be provided of the scorers’ confidence in the data on which assessment is based. Careful consideration of these points will help optimize the value of information produced using the model for wildlife management decision-making.

Հայաստանի ագրարային ոլորտի թվայնացումը որպես տեխնիկական առաջընթացի արագընթաց ճանապարհ/ Digitalization of the Agricultural Sector of Armenia as a Fast Path to Technical Progress

Just two decades ago, it was hard to imagine that artificial intelligence could control not only technical processes, but also the growth and development of plant and animal organisms. Just two decades ago, a sensor system that controls the feeding, care and milking of cows, or automatic climate control equipment for greenhouse farms, was perceived as the last word in technical progress in agriculture. However, they are now perceived as general innovations in the digitalization of production, as new digital technologies control tractors and combines in the field without direct human intervention, assess the needs of plants for nutrients and water, and automatically carry out irrigation and fertilization operations. Moreover, artificial intelligence monitors animal health, plant diseases and pests and takes the necessary measures. The paper highlights the current state of digitalization in the field of agriculture, the main directions of its development in Armenia and the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Enset Production, Its Challenges and Controlling Methods in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is economically a useful crop that provides forage for animals, construction materials, fuel and traditionally it is used as a medicine. The production and productivity of enset is mainly affected by many diseases and pests which causes serious devastating cultivar diversity and finally a yield lose of the crop. Moreover, its production sustainability is also threatened by many factors like wild animal pests, enset root pests, high population pressure and the shift of the producers to cash-oriented crop production. The assessment on enset production, its challenges and controlling methods was carried out in Debub Ari district of South Omo Zone, in southern Ethiopia from November 2021 to January 2021 in four randomly selected representative Kebeles. Simple random sampling method were employed to select a representative sample of the study (n = 138). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, individual interview and personal observations. The collected data were analyzed by using appropriate simple descriptive statistics. The land under enset production is declining from time to time, as well as its production also declines due to social, bio-physical and environmental factors such as land fragmentation, enset bacterial welt, insects and pests and environmental variability factors. To overcome these factors farmers practicing many controlling methods such as by burying the infected plants, restricting the movement of infected plant materials, sterilizing production tools and raising awareness about how to protect disease like enset bacterial welt and use of aluminum phosphate for pests like mole rate.