ISHS Acta Horticulturae 143: VIII African Symposium on Horticultural Crops
INSECT PESTS OF VEGETABLES - APPROACHES USED FOR THEIR CONTROL |
| Author: | J. Kisha |
| Abstract:
Insect pest are a major factor reducing yields of vegetable crops. Three main methods have been studied to control and reduce the damage of the different pests. Cultural control where the sowing date of crop is adjusted to avoid high pest infestations is a simple, inexpensive method. Observations showed it of use for pests having a limited period of breeding in the year such as thrips on onions, aphids on cucurbits, okra and peppers. Reasonable yields are attained even without insecticides. The application of insecticides is the most widely used method. Screening, conducted under field conditions, provides data on efficiency of the chemical, effective rate, duration of control, number of sprays and effect on yield. Recommendations are presented to the Pests and Diseases Committee for official registration. Fifteen pesticides are at present recommended for the pests of the main cultivated vegetables. The use of varieties resistant to pests is desirable due to the system of vegetable production, the pest situation and the high cost and harzards of applying pesticides. This aspect of control is now receiving high priority in research programmes. Future research - new, safer chemicals are continuously evaluated, the synthetic pyrethroids particularly show promise. Electrodynamic spraying is also under assessment. It is hoped the research efforts for vegetable pest control are conveyed to and utilized by the grower. | |
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