Non-chemical control of termites in agriculture and forestry is attracting renewed interest following increasing restrictions on the use of persistent organochlorine (cyclodiene) insecticides. Non-chemical control involves methods which attempt, without using commercial pesticides, to (i) prevent termite access to the plants, (ii) reduce termite numbers in the vicinity of the plants or (iii) reduce susceptibility/increase resistance of the plants themselves. There have been few adequate trials of any of these methods. Numerous cultural procedures have been suggested, including measures to enhance plant vigour, to manipulate termite numbers and behaviour, and others whose mode of action is unclear. Many are simply part of good agricultural/ silvicultural practice and to be recommended. Biological control by predators or pathogens is unlikely to be successful due to the termites' social structure and behavioural responses to infected individuals and to loss of individuals to predators.

Termite damage is a major problem in tropical forestry especially where exotic tree species are used. Stressed tress are generally the most susceptible to attack. Dry-wood termites (Kalotermitidae) live and feed in dead wood but sometimes attack living parts of mature trees; generally, they are pests only in the humid tropics, causing local but sometimes serious damage.

In this, the first of two review papers, we discuss the soil pest problems encountered in smallholder farming systems in subSaharan Africa. Host ranges, interactions and environmental factors affecting the major weed, insect and disease pests in the region are discussed as well as the effects of cultivation practices on pest occurrence.

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