On- farm integrated management of fruit flies (tephritidae) infesting pumpkins (cucurbita maxima duch.) in Yatta and Masinga Sub- Counties of Machakos County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Waithaka, Alice Nduta
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Pumpkin is an economically important crop in Machakos County. The crop is highly nutritious, mainly grown by smallholder farmers for household use. Their production is however constrained by fruit fly infestations particularly the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coq.). The current study focused on the on-farm integrated management of fruit flies infesting pumpkins Cucurbita maxima in Yatta and Masinga Sub- Counties. The key objectives of the study were: (1) determining farmers’ knowledge, perception and control strategies of fruit flies infesting cucurbits in Machakos County, (2) determining the presence and onset of fruit flies on pumpkin farms in Machakos County and (3) evaluating the effect of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies on the pest density and overall yield of pumpkin. In the first objective, a household survey of 95 cucurbit farmers was conducted using structured questionnaires. In the achievement of the second and third objectives, on- field experiments were carried out in the low and medium NDVI classes, across Yatta and Masinga Sub- Counties. The experiments were conducted for two growing seasons (October 2019-March 2020 and March 2020-July 2020). Two treatments were used for the third objective; IPM and control replicated eight times in each NDVI class. The IPM package comprised of lynfield traps with cuelure® laced with malathion®, Metarhizium anisopliae strain ICIPE 69 (mazao campaign®), and fruit fly mania™, a protein bait incorporating spinosad (tracer®). The collected data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and R software. The farmer respondents were not aware of IPM strategies for fruit fly control (91.4%). However, 48.8% of the them reported lack of training as the main constrain hindering adoption of IPM practices. Most of the respondents 75.5% therefore relied on chemical insecticides use for fruit fly management. In the first season, fruit flies were reported in pumpkin plots from the second week of flowering across both NDVI classes. However, in the second season, fruit flies were reported in the farms from the first week of flowering. Zeugodacus cucurbitae was the most abundant fruit fly species from trap catches (75%) and fruit incubation (69.01%). Although, Z. cucurbitae catches/trap/day were significantly higher in control plots than in IPM plots, the yields did not differ significantly between the treatments. In conclusion, the study states lack of training as the major constraint inhibiting adoption of IPM for fruit fly management in the County. The study concludes that fruit fly infestations by Z. cucurbitae starts as early as the onset of flowering especially when suitable host is present after temporarily being absent. Additionally, the use of IPM plan significantly reduced fruit fly population. The study therefore recommends training on the IPM strategies be conducted to equip cucurbit farmers’ as independent decision- makers in pest management. Farmers should initiate fruit fly management as soon the crops start flowering to minimize yield losses. Finally, awareness on the effectiveness of the IPM plan should be promoted widely among cucurbit farmers to enhance adoption.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of msc. crop protection (entomology option), department of agricultural science and technology in the school of agriculture and environmental sciences of Kenyatta University, July, 2023
Keywords
integrated management, fruit flies (tephritidae), pumpkins (cucurbita maxima duch.), Yatta, Masinga, Machakos County, Kenya