Pest Management Practices Research Articles

Assessment of Farm-Level Practices of Disease and Pest Management in the Banana Zone of Nawalparasi West district, Nepal

Assessment of Farm-Level Practices of Disease and Pest Management in the Banana Zone of Nawalparasi West district, Nepal

Impact of IPM training on pest management practices in major vegetables in Palpa, Nepal

A study assessed the impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training on pest management practices in major vegetable crops in Palpa district. A total of 138 respondents were selected through purposive random sampling from Tansen municipality and the rural municipalities of Bagnaskali and Ribdikot. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews on prevailing IPM practices, pesticide handling, and challenges in IPM adoption. The analysis, employing descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square tests, revealed that most trained respondents were from Tansen municipality, with more females than males receiving training. Although respondents preferred botanical methods, they predominantly used chemical pesticides due to availability, lack of biopesticides, high costs of IPM, social constraints, and the absence of block farming. Agro-vet stores were the main information source on pesticides. The level of pest control influenced chemical pesticide purchases, with low awareness of pest resistance. Both trained and non-trained respondents sprayed pesticides during pest outbreaks, with few reporting symptoms from exposure. Trained respondents exhibited greater awareness of the impacts of chemical pesticides on beneficial insects and soil health, the importance of waiting periods, safe pesticide disposal, and safety precautions. Significant associations were found between IPM training and chemical pesticide use, awareness of their impacts on beneficial insects, pesticide disposal methods, waiting periods, safety precautions, and perceptions of soil impact. The study highlighted the critical role of training in enhancing pest management practices and awareness of the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, underscoring the need for increased availability of biopesticides and support for IPM adoption.

Farmers' perception and adoption of management practices against tomato damage by tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) in Pokhara, Nepal

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, poses a significant threat to tomato cultivation globally, with a notable impact on yields. This study investigates the perceptions and practices of farmers in Pokhara, Nepal, regarding T. absoluta management. We aimed to assess the current adoption of management strategies, identify influencing factors, and uncover knowledge gaps among farmers. We surveyed 69 randomly selected households involved in tomato cultivation using a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey collected data on observations of T. absoluta damage, management practices (chemical, physical, pheromone-based), and awareness of integrated pest management (IPM) and ecosystem services. Our findings reveal that 94% of farmers observed T. absoluta damage in their fields, with a predominant reliance on chemical pesticides (86.96%). Awareness and adoption of environmentally friendly practices, such as IPM, were notably lacking. Factors such as the age of the household head, crop rotation, cropping systems, and family type significantly influenced the adoption of various management practices. While 44.93% of farmers used pheromones, 31% recognized them as effective. This study highlights the severe threat T. absoluta poses to tomato cultivation in Pokhara and the insufficiency of current management practices. Bridging knowledge gaps regarding eco-friendly approaches, such as pheromones and biological controls, is crucial. We emphasize the need to tailor extension services by considering sociodemographic factors and promoting awareness of ecosystem services. Ultimately, our study will contribute to more sustainable pest management practices in agricultural settings.

Financial Feasibility Study and Development of Technical Specifications for Coffee Agroforestry for Community Forest Farmers with Revolving Fund Support for Productivity Optimization

This research investigates coffee agroforestry systems' financial feasibility and technical specifications in community forests (HKm). Coffee agroforestry is acknowledged for its potential to enhance biodiversity, increase land productivity, maintain ecological balance, and provide economic benefits for small-scale farmers. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, field observations, and questionnaires to gather primary data while incorporating reports and literature as secondary data sources. The analysis reveals that the coffee agroforestry system in HKm demonstrates financial viability, with a positive NPV, a BCR exceeding 1, and an IRR of 33%. However, challenges such as insufficient technical knowledge and limited financial support persist as significant barriers. Furthermore, this research develops technical specifications, including selecting high-quality coffee seeds, shoot grafting techniques, fertilization, and pest management practices. These specifications are intended to serve as a practical guide for farmers adopting coffee agroforestry systems, enabling them to improve productivity and economic well-being. Moreover, the findings of this study provide a solid foundation for developing policies that encourage the widespread adoption of coffee agroforestry. As a result, this research makes notable contributions to both the scientific and practical aspects of coffee agroforestry for Community Forest farmers, paving the way for further research and formulating comprehensive strategies to address the challenges farmers face.

Characterization of Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungal Isolates: Growth Dynamics, Viability, Density, and Morphological Attributes

Aims: This study aims to comprehensively characterize endophytic entomopathogenic fungal isolates, focusing on their growth dynamics, viability, density, and morphological attributes, with implications for biocontrol strategies against insect pests. Study Design: The research tracked radial growth rates of fungal isolates over 21 days, conducted conidial viability assessments at 24 and 48 hours, measured conidial density, and performed morphological analysis to identify distinct characteristics. Methodology: Endophytic entomopathogenic fungal isolates, including Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium lecanii, were subjected to radial growth rate tracking, viability assessments, density measurements, and morphological analysis. Statistical analysis was employed to identify significant variations among isolates and time intervals. Results: Significant variations in radial growth rates were observed among isolates, with Beauveria bassiana isolate ChBb exhibiting a rate of 3.66 mm/day, followed by B. bassiana isolate NaBb with 3.92 mm/day, and Lecanicillium lecanii isolate KmLl with 3.06 mm/day. Conidial viability assessments revealed temporal dynamics, with NaBb maintaining the highest viability at both 24 and 48 hours. Additionally, significant differences in conidial density were noted, with NaBb exhibiting the highest density followed by ChBb and KmLl. Morphological analysis unveiled distinct characteristics among isolates, including differences in conidia length, width, and length-to-width ratio. Conclusion: The findings underscore the potential of Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium lecanii isolates in biocontrol strategies against insect pests, highlighting their varying growth dynamics, viability, density, and morphological attributes. These insights contribute to the understanding of entomopathogenic fungi and their applications in sustainable pest management practices.

Professional networks and access to extension as drivers of sustainable agricultural practices among Ghanaian oil palm farmers

Increasing agricultural productivity through the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) offers a credible pathway to addressing food insecurity while preserving vital ecosystem resources, as such, factors that drive farmers' decisions to adopt these SAPs need examination. Most extant studies, on the adoption of SAPs, however, tend to place emphasis on socioeconomic incentives, giving little attention to the role of professional networks and institutional factors especially on oil palm which has strong links to deforestation and reduction in tree cover despite the numerous economic benefits. Using cross-sectional data from six oil palm producing regions in Ghana, this study analyses the role of producer membership, links with institutions such as NGOs, and extension access in the adoption of improved seeds, fertilizers, pest management practices, soil and moisture conservation practices, and legume cover crops among oil palm farmers in Ghana. The study employs a multivariate probit model to examine the probability of adopting SAPs and a poisson regression to model the intensity of SAPs adopted. The study also uses the instrumental variable approach to circumvent the issue of endogeneity. Results indicate that these networks and institutions significantly affect farmers’ adoption of SAPs. The study also finds heterogeneous associations with the adoption decisions depending on the type of innovation. In particular, we show evidence that farmers’ link with formal institutions is negatively associated with the adoption of diverse input intensive technologies, whereas it is positively associated with the adoption of natural resource management technologies. However, we find a consistent positive association of membership of producer organization on the adoption of different SAPs except legume cover cropping. Though differing relationships, we find that extension access and membership of producer organization are significantly associated with the intensity of SAPs adoption. Taken together, our findings suggest an integrated approach by the actors in the promotion of SAPs.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Chemical Applications for the Production of Brinjal Crop

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), commonly known as eggplant, is a crucial vegetable crop cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions. Chemical applications in brinjal cultivation, encompassing fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators, play a significant role in enhancing yield and quality. This comprehensive analysis reviews the latest advancements and methodologies in the chemical management of brinjal crops. It discusses the optimized use of synthetic and organic fertilizers for nutrient management, the strategic application of pesticides for pest and disease control, and the use of plant growth regulators to improve crop growth and productivity. Recent studies emphasize the importance of integrated pest management (IPM) practices to minimize chemical residues and environmental impact. In the Puducherry district, data was collected from five brinjal-growing villages out of sixty-two, utilizing a combination of closed-ended questionnaires for independent variables and open-ended questionnaires for dependent variables. In-person interviews were conducted to gather comprehensive data, which was then evaluated using a range of appropriate and standardized statistical tools. The study identified three dependent variables and fifteen independent factors, focusing on the evaluation of chemicals used in brinjal production, methods for handling these chemicals, and their effects on human health.

Farmers' biodiversity knowledge improves natural enemy conservation in agricultural ecosystems

ContextIn the face of dual challenges of sustainable food production and biodiversity conservation, the knowledge gaps of farmers about biodiversity, pests, and their natural enemies can become a crucial barrier to adopting sustainable land management practices. ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess farmers' knowledge and understanding of crop pest and natural enemy diversity and their impacts, and whether the adoption of Climate-Smart or Conservation Agriculture (CSA here onwards) was associated with this knowledge. MethodsWe conducted questionnaire-based interviews and showed biodiversity images, including crop pests and beneficial insects, to understand farmers' knowledge of biodiversity on their farms. A comparison was drawn between farmers practising CSA and non-CSA farmers to understand the role of CSA in enhancing biodiversity knowledge. Results and conclusionsFarmers facing greater yield losses were aware of pests, but they were less knowledgeable about their natural enemies, and they used fewer conservation management practices. CSA farmers, however, showed more biodiversity knowledge, especially of natural enemies, and they employed a wider range of CS management practices. Farmers’ age, experience, education, and training were positively correlated with biodiversity knowledge, leading to better natural enemy conservation and pest management practices. SignificanceThe findings underscore the need for biodiversity-focused capacity building in sustainable agricultural programs, targeting less knowledgeable farming groups. It emphasises the crucial role of farmers' knowledge in developing sustainable and biodiversity-friendly food production systems.Africa, East Usambara Mountains, Food security, Biodiversity conservation, Invertebrates, Crop pests, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Farmer education.

Farmer’s knowledge, perception, and practices in managing insect pests and diseases of grapevine in Morocco

An evaluation of pest and disease management practices was conducted among 181 grapevine farmers across five key viticulture regions in Morocco from 2019 to 2022. The primary objectives were to assess farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices and to examine their impact on grapevine productivity. A diverse range of grape varieties was noted, with over 21 varieties yielding from 10 to 30 t/ha. Disease monitoring was reported by 97.4% of the winegrowers within their vineyards, but only 12.1% actively scouted for grapevine trunk diseases. A diverse array of over 40 active ingredients was evaluated against each reported disease. For instance, gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) was mainly treated with boscalid + pyraclostrobin (72%), mancozeb + thiophanate methyl (71%), cyprodinil (69%), and fenthion (69%). As for the downy mildew (Plasmospora viticola), seven active ingredients were significantly been highlighted including cymoxanil + mancozeb (72%), hexaconazole 5% (71%), iprodione (69%), and mancozeb (72%), while maneb (69%) was the most adopted treatment for black rot (Guignardia bidwellii) disease. Some of these treatments showed positive correlations with each other in targeting multiple pests. Identification and control of pests and diseases were often based on damage symptoms rather than on recording causal agents. Respondents were aware of the most common foliar diseases and pests. Multivariate analyses showed that there is a strong relationship between farmers’ characteristics and their overall knowledge of pests and diseases. However, farmers’ knowledge of major grapevine trunk diseases was relatively low and management practices were inadequate. The study underscores the critical role of improved practices and knowledge in mitigating the high variability in grapevine productivity experienced by Moroccan farmers.

The role of household labour for sustainable intensification in smallholder systems: a case study in cocoa farming systems

Sustainable agricultural intensification aims at increasing yields on existing agricultural land without negative environmental impacts. Managing pests and diseases contributes to increasing yields. Without synthetic pesticides, this management is labour intensive. Smallholder farming systems heavily rely on manual and household labour, which will be affected by future demographic changes. Knowledge on how these changes will affect sustainable intensification is limited. Based on a case study of Ugandan cocoa farms, we tested the impact of increased household labour availability on pest and disease management (PDM) practices and pesticide use. We made use of a unique quasi-experimental design, in which household labour increased during the national COVID-19 lockdowns as children did not attend school and family members returned from cities. Our interview data from 2019 to 2021 showed that household labour availability increased on average by 0.8 (±2.5) household members and 16% of labour days per hectare. Using different regression models complemented with qualitative insights, we found that the uptake of alternative PDM practices significantly reduced pesticide quantities and expenditures. The implementation of alternative PDM practices was only weakly influenced by household labour availability and increased with farmer training and trust in alternative practices. These results imply that alternative PDM practices are an important pillar for production with little or without synthetic pesticides and their adoption requires support and incentives, especially on labour or resource-constrained farms.

Can artificial intelligence be integrated into pest monitoring schemes to help achieve sustainable agriculture? An entomological, management and computational perspective

Abstract Recent years have seen significant advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This advancement has enabled the development of decision support systems that support farmers with herbivorous pest identification and pest monitoring. In these systems, the AI supports farmers through the detection, classification and quantification of herbivorous pests. However, many of the systems under development fall short of meeting the demands of the end user, with these shortfalls acting as obstacles that impede the integration of these systems into integrated pest management (IPM) practices. There are four common obstacles that restrict the uptake of these AI‐driven decision support systems. Namely: AI technology effectiveness, functionality under field conditions, the level of computational expertise and power required to use and run the system and system mobility. We propose four criteria that AI‐driven systems need to meet in order to overcome these challenges: (i) The system should be based on effective and efficient AI; (ii) The system should be adaptable and capable of handling ‘real‐world’ image data collected from the field; (iii) Systems should be user‐friendly, device‐driven and low‐cost; (iv) Systems should be mobile and deployable under multiple weather and climate conditions. Systems that meet these criteria are likely to represent innovative and transformative systems that successfully integrate AI technology with IPM principles into tools that can support farmers.

Climate-smart Pest Management Strategies: Under Changing Climatic Scenarios

In the face of changing climatic conditions, it's crucial to acknowledge their far-reaching impacts on humans, animals, and agricultural systems worldwide, where negative consequences often overshadow any positive outcomes. With global warming and climate change, previously minor insect pests are now poised to wreak havoc, leading to widespread pest outbreaks. As a result, the effectiveness of various pest control measures, including host-plant resistance, natural enemies, transgenics, bio-pesticides, and synthetic chemicals, may undergo significant shifts. Growers and researchers are actively devising Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to minimize environmental harm while maximizing crop yields and economic benefits. Numerous studies highlight the necessity of reevaluating pest management practices and IPM strategies to adapt to novel environmental conditions and enhance the resilience of diverse agroecosystems to weather variability. This involves initiatives such as breeding climate-resilient crops, adjusting crop calendars, employing GIS-based risk mapping for crop pests, and exploring novel pesticides with alternative modes of action, informed by predictive modeling data. Thus, this chapter explores the potential of these techniques for climate-smart insect pest management.

Evaluation of Production and Pest Management Practices in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Ghana

The economic return for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Ghana is often low due to limitations in the availability of inputs or their adoption, which are needed to optimize yield. Six experiments were conducted in Ghana in 2020 and 2021 to determine the impact of planting date, cultivar, fertilization, pest management practices, and harvest date on peanut yield, financial return, and pest reaction. A wide range of interactions among these treatment factors were often observed for infestations of aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover); groundnut rosette disease (Umbravirus: Tombusviridaee); millipedes (Peridontopyge spp.); white grubs (Schyzonicha spp.); wireworms (Conoderus spp.); termites (Microtermes and Odontotermes spp.); canopy defoliation as a result of early leaf spot disease caused by Passalora arachidicola (Hori) and late leaf spot caused by Nothopassalora personata (Berk. and M. A. Curtis); and the scarification and boring of pods caused by arthropod feeding. Pod yield and economic return increased for the cultivar Chitaochi and Sarinut 2 when fertilizer was applied and when fertilizer was applied at early, mid-, and late planting dates. Pod yield and economic return increased when a combination of locally derived potassium soaps was used for aphid suppression and one additional hand weeding was used in the improved pest management practice compared with the traditional practice without these inputs. Pearson correlations for yield and economic return were negatively correlated for all pests and damage caused by pests. The results from these experiments can be used by farmers and their advisors to develop production packages for peanut production in Ghana.

Adapting to climate disparities: Implications for fruit fly populations in citrus orchards

In the context of climate change, the agricultural sector faces the imperative of devising adaptive strategies to mitigate emerging challenges. This study aimed to know the relationship between climatic disparities and fruit fly populations in citrus orchards. Utilizing Steiner trap and Methyl Eugenol wooden blocks as monitoring, male annihilation controlling devices, and spraying protein bait, we conducted a comprehensive investigation across two distinct agroclimatic conditions. The main variations were monthly rainfall (mm), accentuating diverse agroclimatic dynamics. Surprisingly, an analysis comparing low rainfall (1-4 mm) to moderate rainfall (14-21 mm) periods did not affect fruit fly populations. Contrary to conventional assumptions, variations in only precipitation did not significantly impact fruit fly population dynamics. The critical factors were the dominant role of host plant availability and the efficacy of pest management practices in steering population trends. This study showed that climatic factors contribute to pest dynamics; however, they might not function as a single change factor. Instead, host plant availability and the implementation of effective pest control interventions held more significant influence. Based on the interconnected relationship between climate and pests, amid a continuously developing climate scenario, more careful management strategies are needed to increase the sustainability of citrus yields for food security and farmer welfare.

Reflexivity and certified crop advisors’ knowledge paradigms as related to pesticide resistance management

A major unintended risk of modern US agricultural use of pesticides has been pesticide resistance—a situation in which overuse of simplified pesticide-reliant pest management practices results in the loss of pesticide efficacy and results in yield declines, labor and time costs, environmental hazards, and other negative consequences. It has been posited that addressing pesticide resistance will necessitate a transformation in how agriculture is done, including major structural diversification of management practices and the involvement of a broad community of diverse stakeholders co-producing knowledge. Crop advisors—those agronomists providing paid-for agronomic advice to farmers independently or as part of a larger corporation—are one group has a high potential impact on what pesticide resistance management strategies and farmers' information networks. However, there is minimal research on how crop advisors approach the topic of pesticide resistance with their customers, including the reductionist or reflexive approaches they may draw on in their information provisioning. We explore this topic through a series of regional focus groups intended to uncover crop advisors’ perspectives on structural barriers to resistance management and use of reflexivity in their application of reductionist or iterative knowledge provisioning paradigms. We find that crop advisors recognize complex structural barriers to effective pesticide resistance management; while modern reductionist approaches were evident in attempts to overcome these barriers, crop advisors also engaged in reflexivity and drew on iterative forms of knowledge provisioning, particularly when unaffiliated with an agrichemical company and when working with fewer customers and higher value specialty crops. Additionally, those crop advisors applying a reductionist advising approach did not necessarily adhere to a modernist ideology; rather, we found that most crop advisors were reflexively critical of this approach and preferred a more iterative format but were constrained from taking action on this preference due to structures based in the capitalist industrialized US agricultural system. We propose that reflexivity is present but insufficient to alter patterns of pesticide resistance information and management without significant structural alterations.

Adoption of Pest Management Practice Wise Green Technologies Utilization Behaviour of Trichy and Madurai District Farmers in Rice-based Ecosystem

The current study was carried out in Madurai and Trichy districts of Tamil Nadu. Two blocks from each district were chosen. For this study, a total sample size of 240 people was used. It was seen that 52.08 per cent of the respondents had fully adopted the destruction of stubbles after harvest in which 56.67 per cent of Trichy district farmers and 47.50 per cent of Madurai district farmers had fully adopted the above practice in order to avoid yellow stem borer. More than half (51.67%) of the farmers had adopted placing of dry fish in the field in which 56.67 per cent of Trichy district farmers and 46.66 per cent of Madurai district farmers had fully adopted this practice. It was observed that 50.00 per cent of Trichy district respondents and 27.50 per cent of Madurai district respondents had partially adopted the practice of dipping the seedlings with chloropyriphos to avoid the attack of termites.

Are farm input subsidies a disincentive for integrated pest management adoption? Evidence from Zambia

AbstractInput subsidy programmes (ISPs) remain a popular but contentious policy tool to promote agricultural intensification, food security and poverty reduction across Africa. Although previous studies have explored the impact of ISPs on various smallholder outcomes, no studies have analysed the impact of recent ISPs on pest management. This is particularly important given the increasing pest challenges due to climate change and the recent surge in pesticide use in low‐income countries and its associated negative consequences for human and environmental health. Thus, this study assessed the effects of ISPs on smallholder adoption of sustainable pest management practices, using data from 1048 smallholder maize plots across major maize‐producing zones of Zambia and a control function regression approach. We find consistent evidence that input subsidy receipt is negatively associated with smallholders' adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable pest management strategies. Participation in the Zambia ISP (particularly the flexible e‐voucher system) encourages synthetic pesticide use, at the expense of sustainable practices. We also find that farmers consider synthetic pesticides and biopesticides as substitutes and are more likely to adopt sustainable pest management when they have tenure security and access to financial resources. Given the human and environmental health consequences associated with synthetic pesticide use, it would be important to leverage input subsidy schemes to promote the adoption of safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Beyond input subsidies, policies that improve tenure security and financial access for smallholders can promote the adoption of sustainable pest management practices.

Efficient Model on Corp Disease and Pest Detection with Deep Learning

Agricultural production faces significant challenges due to pests and diseases, causing substantial losses in crop yield globally. Traditional methods of pest and disease management are often manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, particularly deep learning algorithms, with modern information and communication technology has shown promising results in addressing these challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in applying deep learning for detecting and classifying agricultural pests, diseases, and weeds. Various deep learning models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) such as Faster R-CNN, InceptionV3, DenseNet, and AlexNet, have been explored for their efficacy in identifying pests, diseases, and weeds in crops. While models like Faster R-CNN, InceptionV3, and DenseNet have demonstrated high accuracy rates ranging from 78.71% to 99.62% in classification tasks across different datasets and crops, the AlexNet architecture has also shown promising results in certain applications within agricultural image analysis. Additionally, the development of lightweight CNN architectures and the fusion of deep features with traditional handcrafted features have further enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of detection systems. Furthermore, the review discusses challenges and future research directions in the field, emphasizing the importance of large-scale datasets, model optimization, and real-time applications for practical implementation in agriculture. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of deep learning technologies, including models like AlexNet, in revolutionizing pest and disease management practices, leading to improved crop yield, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Keywords: Agricultural pests, plant diseases, deep learning, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), AlexNet, classification

Biorationals and Synthetic Insecticides for Controlling Fall Armyworm and Their Influence on the Abundance and Diversity of Parasitoids

Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm, FAW) is a significant economic pest of maize in Uganda. Many Ugandan maize farmers employ synthetic insecticides as their main form of control despite the negative impacts of these chemicals. We tested the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana; General Biopesticide Cocktail (mixture of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, Isaria fumosoroseus, Lecanicillium lecani and Purporeocillium lilacanus three strains of Metarhizium anisopliae, Nimbecidine® (azadirachtin 0.03%EC), and Roket® (cypermethrin 4% and profenofos 40%); and Amdocs® (emamectin benzoate 2% and abamectin 1%) on fall armyworm and parasitoids, respectively, in 2020 and 2021. The treatments with the greatest decrease in leaf damage and infestation were Amdocs® and Roket®, followed by Nimbecidine®. The biopesticides were not always more effective than the untreated control, though; their efficacy was often lower than that of the synthetic and botanical pesticides. We recovered one egg parasitoid, Telenomus remus, and seven egg and egg-larval parasitoids (Coccygidium luteum, Coccygidium sp., Cotesia icipe, Chelonus sp., Micranisa sp., Charops cf. diversipes, and an unidentified Tachinidae). Among these, C. cf diversipes, Chelonus sp., C. luteum, C. icipe and the Tachinidae were the most abundant. Parasitism was low, averaging 10% for egg masses and 5.3% for larvae. Application of synthetic pesticides and Nimbecidine® often resulted in higher yield when compared with the untreated control. In general, a low population of parasitoids was observed. Although the parasitoid population reduced in plots treated with Amdocs® and Roket®, the percentage of parasitism of FAW was not affected. In some instances, higher yields were realized in untreated control when compared with the treated plots. Pest management practices more compatible with biological control need to be considered for the management of fall armyworm.

Biological Approaches for Sustainable Pest and Disease Management in Pulse Crops

Pulse crops, including lentils, peas, chickpeas, and beans, play a crucial role in addressing global food security and nutritional needs. However, their production is often hampered by various pests and diseases, leading to significant yield losses. Conventional pest and disease management practices, heavily reliant on synthetic chemical pesticides, have raised concerns about environmental sustainability, human health, and the development of resistance in target organisms. In recent years, biological approaches have emerged as promising alternatives for sustainable pest and disease management in pulse crops. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various biological control strategies, including the use of beneficial microorganisms, plant extracts, and other eco-friendly methods. The review discusses the mode of action, efficacy, and potential applications of these approaches in combating major pests and diseases affecting pulse crops. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and future prospects of integrating biological control methods into integrated pest and disease management programs. By adopting these sustainable practices, pulse crop production can be enhanced while minimizing the environmental footprint and promoting long-term ecological balance. The review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, extension specialists, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, emphasizing the importance of biological approaches in achieving sustainable and resilient pulse crop production systems.