No abstract

In this study, low-cost pest exclusion nets (lcPENs) were evaluated to determine their ef fi cacy in reducing pest infestation and enhancing yields of cabbage at KALRO Kabete and PTC (Practical Training Centre) Thika, Kenya, from March to September 2011 both at nursery and fi eld production levels. Nets of two-mesh sizes (0.9 mm and 0.4 mm) were used whereby the 0.9 mm net was either impregnated or not impregnated with alpha cypermethrin to enhance ef fi cacy through repellency effects of the pesticides. The lcPENs ef fi ciency was compared with no-net use and grass shading (farmer practice) in a completely randomized block design with fi ve replications. Results showed that diamondback moth ( Plutellaxylostella ) larval infestation was lower ( P <0.05) on cabbages covered with lcPENs both at nursery and fi eld level. At nursery, aphids were lower ( P <0.05) on seedlings covered with insecticide-impregnated lcPEN but in fi eld conditions, there was no difference among the lcPENs. Cabbage yield was higher ( P <0.05) on cabbages grown under lcPENs. The fi ndings clearly demonstrate high incomes as a result of growing cabbages under lcPENs. However, there was no evidence of an increased role for insecticide impregnation except in the nets at nursery level. Hence farmers can use ordinary (un-impregnated) lcPENs for pest management in transplanted cabbage production. (Résumé d'auteur

Pigeonpea is an important pulse crop that has gained importance in semi-arid tropics, although its yield potential has not been fully realized due to biotic and abiotic stresses that limit its production. Insect pest complex of pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), sucking bug (Clavigralla tomentosicollis) and pod fly (Melanagromyza cholcosoma) are the major limiting factors to its production causing up Original Research Article

No abstract

Potatoes are an annual and the most cultivated tuberous crop worldwide. Potatoes play an important role to fulfil the world’s basic food requirements because of enriched nutrients and delicious taste. Rhizoctonia solani is the most virulent and widely distributed soil-borne fungus that causes severe yield losses of potatoes globally. Several management practices have been adopted to overcome the yield losses inflicted by this fungus. Biocontrol agents play a significant role as mycoparasites and activate defense mechanisms through disease resistance genes to suppress pathogens. Compost is also applied as a soil amendment that increases soil fertility through the addition of organic matter in soil and nutrients uptake in organic form. Besides, it is a rich source of carbon and nitrogen which can address soil erosion, nutrients and organic matter depletion issues and restores soil fertility by adding organic matter and reducing the incidence of soil-borne pathogens in the soil.  Biochar utilization in the agriculture sector is increasing day by day because of its great potential for disease suppression. Both biochar and compost are used commercially to improve plant growth and suppress potato diseases caused by R. solani. Therefore, in this review, we discussed the symptoms on potatoes, epidemiology and biological characteristics of R. solani and summarized to date control strategies mainly focusing on biological, chemical, biochar and compost approaches.