Pests

: 18 April 2018; Hits: 11499

Neem leaves save Nakuru farms from pests

neem leaves Neam plant leaves. Photo courtecy.

Farmers in Subukia area of Nakuru are cutting the spread of pests by upto 40 percent at zero cost thanks to the freely available neem leaves and seeds that have proven more potent that conventional pesticides.

The neem has an active ingredient called "azadirachtin" that is found in all parts of the tree with the largest concentrations in the seeds that can be extracted and used as an insecticide for the control of more than 400 species of insects. According to Dr. Jacinta Were a scientist who has been involved in teaching the farmers, majority of the species affecting the farmers’ crops have succumbed to the neem therapy which proves its prowess in pest control.

The leaves are pounded in a mortar and the pulp strained in water overnight for application while the dried seeds are decorticated to obtain the kernel. The kernel is pounded, mixed with water and squeezed to obtain the oil. The leaves and the seeds can also be grounded into powder and used directly to dust crops in the field or to protect grain.

According to Dr. Were the major mode of action of the neem is that its properties have been identified to be useful in agricultural industry because they have a powerful insect growth regulator. It also acts as an anti-feedant and as an ovipositor deterrent and the neem does not kill the insects immediately.

The insects die during their development and there is reduction in the overall population over a period time. Most insects exposed to neem would stop feeding shortly after exposure therefore ending the damage to the plant. The application of the neem according to Dr. Were also inhibits adult insects from laying eggs on treated plant surfaces and this helps to prevent re-infestation of treated crops.

Unlike synthetic chemicals such as endosulfan, neem-based materials have low environmental persistence between four and eight days in the field and are relatively non-toxic to mammals.

"Honey bees, parasitic wasps and predators such as spiders, ants and lady bird beetles are not harmed by neem product. The neem tree offers a safe alternative to conventional insecticide in integrated pests management programme". She said.

The use of neem is one among many biological and traditional ways farmers are courting to fight pests that have developed immunity against conventional pesticides. The unprecedented rise in the price of pesticides has further pushed farmers to alternative pest control methods.

From ash, cowdung, traditional brew and kerosene oils, the home-made control methods are now becoming a buzz word across farming communities in Kenya.

Write comment (0 Comments)

: 18 April 2018; Hits: 9544

Disease resistant giant grass can increase milk production by 25 per cent

Dairy farmers can now grow giant setaria grass, a fodder crop that is tolerant to Napier head smut and stunt diseases and can increase milk yields by 25 per cent.

The fodder grass was developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization five years ago but has seen a low up take by farmers due to inadequate information available about it as 65 per cent of farmers in the country rely on Napier grass to feed their livestock.

The grass can yield up to four tons of dry matter per acre per year and grows well in both low and high altitude regions of Kenya receiving annual rainfall of 1000 to 2500mm.

Feeding livestock with a mixture of Napier grass and desmodium increases milk yields

Super grass cuts greenhouse gases, tripling yields

Giant setaria grass can be used for soil conservation purposes when planted along border lines and this can help in preserving soil fertility and enhance crop production.

Farmers can source the grass seed splits from KALRO centers near them, the ministry of agriculture or farmers who have grown the grass.

The root splits obtained should be from an established healthy field.

setaria grass

While planting the grass, single root splits should be placed per hole at a spacing of 50cm by 50cm from hole to hole and the same spacing from plant to plant.

TSP/DAP fertilizer is recommended at the rate of one bottle top per hole or farm yard manure at the rate of two spoonsful per hole. After planting, the splits need to be covered firmly with soil.

The grass mature three to four months after planting. When harvesting, maintain a height of five centimeters from the ground to allow fast re-growth.

After cutting of the grass, chop two to three centimeters and feed them while still fresh to cows, sheep or goats. The grass can also be used for silage making.

The grass has 10 to 12 per cent crude protein content.

Subsequent harvests are done at six to eight weeks intervals. After every two harvests apply CAN fertilizer at the rate of one bottle top per stool translating to two bags of 50kg per acre. Alternatively, apply two handfuls of farm yard/compost manure per stool.

With this grass, farmers can increase milk yields by 25 per cent and hence earn more income.

In 2017, Kenya’s milk production dropped by 30 per cent to 3.64bn liters due to prolonged drought according to the Kenya Dairy Board.

The country exported three million kilograms of milk last year, a 50 per increase from the two million kilos in 2016.

Write comment (0 Comments)

: 16 April 2018; Hits: 26172

KALRO lists recommended insecticides to control Fall Armyworm

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization last week listed the recommended pesticides to be used by farmers all over the country to curb the Fall ArmyWorm menace.

The five insecticides that were recommended include Abamectin + Chlorantraniliprole (e.g. Voliam Targo 063 SC), Lufenuron (e.g. Match 50EC), Chlorantraniliprole (e.g. Coragen 20SC), Emamectin benzoate (e.g. Prove 1.92EC), Pyriproxyfen (e.g. Profen 10.8EC) and Acephate (e.g. Orthene Pellet)

The insecticides can be bought at certified chemical sellers such as Coopers, Twiga Chemicals and Orbit Chemical Industries to curb the pest that was first discovered in Africa in 2016 but has since spread to 44 out of 54 counties in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cheap and simple trap that can end Fall Armyworms in less than a week

Research organization introduces push-pull technology to stop fall armyworm

In Kenya, over 800,000 hectares of crops mainly maize was affected and destroyed by the pest in Kenya’s bread basket of Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Busia, Kakamega, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Narok, West Pokot, Siaya, Kwale and counties in the central region.

As a result, maize production dropped from 37m bags in 2016 to 32m bags in 2017 according to statistics from the ministry of agriculture.

The ministry advises farmers to monitor their farms everyday so as to spray the pest in its early stages to avoid extensive damage.

fall armyworm spraying

Spraying of the pest is recommended for early in the morning or late in the evening when the larvae are active.

In this, the top leaves and funnels of the plant should be sprayed two to three times at an interval of two weeks in order to effectively control the young larvae that may emerge after earlier sprays.

Farmers are also advised to observe presence of eggs under the leaves of the plants such as maize and immediately spray them.

The ministry has already posted some of its staff to the affected counties so as to assist farmers on the appropriate measures to address the worm.

Besides releasing the chemicals, the ministry has set side Sh300m to be used by KALRO for further research in assessing damage and develop chemicals to control the pest.

Sh50m has also been set aside for the State Department of Crops who will work hand in hand with KALRO to find possible solutions to the problem.

The release of the chemicals will come as a relief for farmers and consumers alike who depend on maize for food and for commercial purposes to sustain their livelihoods.

Write comment (0 Comments)