Document 6514845
Transcription
Document 6514845
30 SEEDS OF GOLD July 19, 2014 SATURDAY NATION pests EASY PREY» CROPS ATTACKED BY THE FLIES INCLUDE CASSAVA, POTATOES, MELONS AND CABBAGES PREVENTION USING STICK CARDS TO MONITOR FLIES A farmer takes stock of her vegetables. They are among the crops whiteflies attack. FILE | NATION How to stop deadly fly that could wipe out your crop BY EGERTON TEAM Leaving land fallow and treating crops with plant sprays such as pepper and neem will help control whiteflies [email protected] W hiteflies are tiny insects about a millimetre long, moth-like in appearance with a bright white powdery body that can transmit viruses to crops and cause damage. The insects have a sucking structure called stylet, which they use to penetrate plant tissues and acquire nutrient rich fluids (water, phytosynthates and amino acids). During feeding, they may suck fluids from virus-infected plants and transfer them to healthy ones. This causes massive crop damage. The crops become chlorotic, the leaves curl and in tomatoes, they lead to irregular ripening. Direct damage occurs when white flies feed on plant phloem (rich in sugar) and reduce plant vigour. Later, the accumulated sugar that is secreted by the whitefly as honeydew leads to the development of sooty mold (Ascomycete fungi), which interferes with photosynthesis and may lower yield quality. An adult whitefly mobility and feeding behaviour encourages transmission of viruses, as acquisition and inoculation occur during feeding. Some of the crops easily affected by the flies are cassava, sweet potatoes, melons, eggplants, tomatoes, alfalfa, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflowers, cotton, cucumbers, squash, peanut, and pepper. There are two main species of whiteflies affecting crops both in the field and in greenhouses. These are Silverleaf (Bemisia Tabaci) and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). The lifecycle of greenhouse whitefly is between 30 and 65 days, while that of Silverleaf is between 26 and 29 days. The adult stage is the most damaging with a lifespan of 10 to 40 days, but warm conditions favour all stages. The insects have a high reproduction capacity and a short generation cycle. Thus, farmers using insecticides for control have to increase the frequency of application to curb new populations emerging from subsequent generations of the pest. This practice is associated with development of resistance to insecticides. Control of whiteflies using insecticides is costly. On average, one uses Sh20,000 per acre if insecticides are applied three times during the period of growth. Global warming has encouraged a dramatic increase in whitefly populations worldwide and consequently, the emergence of new groups of whitefly transmitted plant viruses. Some groups of viruses traditionally known to be transmitted by aphids are increasingly becoming whitefly-borne viruses. The current upsurge of whiteflies could be an important pointer to an impending pest outbreak. There is a need to step up surveillance of the whitefly populations and distribution. Control measures Whiteflies are controlled primarily through application of biological agents, chemical pesticides and use of traps (sticky cards and trap crops). Sticky cards and trap crops are important in monitoring and control of whiteflies both inside and outside the greenhouse. Sticky traps are used to detect and monitor population levels and are placed at strategic positions such as near doors, vents and known hotspots in the greenhouse at one trap per every 100m2. Natural enemies This involves introduction of natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps (Encarsia Formosa), predatory mites, lacewings and pathogenic fungi (Verticillium (Lecanicillium) Lecanii and Beauveria Bassiana strain GHA). These agents are supplied commercially by various biological control companies and can be obtained from local stockists. Biological control is effective if used over time since it allows suppression of the targeted pest without killing the non-target beneficial insect in the system. However, compatibility with use of pesticides is limited and hardly has any economic benefits since the agents can easily be destroyed by synthetic insecticides. Other safer approaches in management include use of insecticidal soaps and oil spays, plant extracts such as neem and pepper and leaving the field fallow. Adequate rotation This is done by applying insecticides selectively and in rotation by Mode of Action (MoA) group to avoid development of resistance. Insecticides should also be applied only when needed and in recommended rates. The basic rule for adequate rotation of insecticides by MoA groups is Sticky cards are an important part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme for field and greenhouse growers. They alert a farmer on the presence of certain insects. The cards will trap the adults of flying insects such as flower thrips, whiteflies, shoreflies, leafminers and winged aphids. Remember that mites, mealybugs, scales, and wingless aphids do not fly and thus will not be caught on the sticky cards. Also, immature stages of thrips, and whiteflies will not stick on the cards. Sticky cards help detect early pest infestations more effectively than intensive plant sampling. By using sticky cards, you can keep track of insect population trends, and make more informed and timely pest management decisions. However, they are only part of an IPM programme that includes visual monitoring and the use indicator plants. In the greenhouse, additional cards are placed near doors, vents, and over insect-sensitive plant species or cultivars. Some cards have a grid system that makes it easier to count the insects on the card. These cards are also available commercially in large agro-vets in major towns but not commonly sold in small towns. Sticky tapes or ribbons can also be used to trap pests. To use, place one to four yellow sticky cards per 300 square metre field area. Use clothespins and stakes to vertically attach sticky cards just above (4 to 6 inches) the crop canopy. As plants grow, move the sticky cards upward on the stake. Farmers should replace traps at least once a week. Farmers can make their own sticky trap by spreading petroleum jelly or used motor oil on yellow painted plywood, 6cmx15cm, and place the traps near the plants but faraway enough to prevent the leaves from sticking to the board. Traps, when hung, should be positioned 60 to 70 cm above the plants. Yellow or blue coloured sticky cards are commercially available. Blue cards may be more attractive to insects. - Prof Paul Kimurto, Crops Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University to avoid treating consecutive generations of the target pest with insecticides in the same group. The treatment window to consider in changing the MoA group is based on the minimum duration of a single generation of whiteflies. Within the same treatment window, multiple applications of the same class of insecticides should be done. A treatment window in Silverleaf whitefly, for example, is 30 consecutive days (derived from the life cycle). Chloropyrifos (as an endocrine disruptor) and Imidacloprid (acetylcholine inhibitor) are examples of different MoA. John Nganga, Alice Kamau and Lilian Jeptanui, Crops Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University
Similar documents
Best Pest Control Companies in College Station & Dallas, TX
Venus Pest is the best pest control companies in the areas of College Station & Dallas, TX. We provide effective and safe pest control & treatment services. Call us at (469) 964-5195 for any info! Visit Us: http://www.venuspest.com/
More information