Determination of selected drought resistant grass species that could be used as alternative hosts of chilo parteuus (swinhoe) in Kisumu county, Kenya
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Date
2014-07-31
Authors
Oncbangwa, A. Macbani
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Abstract
The stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe, Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an important pest of
maize in tropical lowland areas of Africa, seldom found above altitude of 1500 metres
above sea level. Yield losses are caused by the borer feeding on plant leaves, grains, tussles
and tunneling in stems hence weakening the plant. It is difficult to control C. partellus
since both larvae and pupae live in stems. Spraying with insecticides only kills eggs and
adults. Other methods used to control C. partellus include biological methods, host plant
resistance and cultural practices. Trap plants could also help to control the pest. Trap plants
are crops grown to attract insect pests so as to protect target crops from pest attack. This
study is aimed at providing an alternative control measure by use of trap plants to control
C. partellus. This approach may be used by smallholder farmers in dry areas of Kenya so
as to boost their cereal production for subsistence consumption. The field experiments for
the study will be conducted at Nyakach District in Kisumu County where ten grass species
will be used while controlled green house experiments will be done at Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute (KARl), Kisii centre. Green house experiments will help in confirming
whether the damages that were observed in the field were due to C. partellus attack. The
ten grass species that will be selected for both field and greenhouse experiments include
Pennisetum sphacelatum, P. mezianum, P. pedicallum, Hypperhania spp, Hyparrrhenia
cymbaria, Panicum maximum, Sporobolus pyramidalis, S. consimilis, Chloris gayana and
Braicharia brizantha. These grasses were selected for this study because they can
withstand drought, enrich the soil with nutrients by controlling soil erosion and can be used
as fodder. The grass species will be planted in ten plots each measuring 2 m x 2 m during
the dry period. The plots will be arranged in a randomized complete block design. Each
grass species will be replicated three times. Data on number of larvae, entry and exit holes
on stems, length of stem tunnels, number of "window" holes on leaves, number of eggs on
stems and leaves and "dead hearts" will be collected from five grass stools picked
randomly from each plot one month after planting in both field and green house
experiments. Subsequent data collection will be done after every two weeks for a period of
6 months. Data on foliar damage will be collected using a scale of 1 to 9. Scale value of
one will indicate no damage while that of nine will indicate grass damage. The larvae
collected from the field and green house will be put in labeled bottles and taken to the
laboratory for identification. The data obtained from the field and green house experiments
will be subjected to ANaYA or its non-parametric equivalent and analysed using
Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 2010. If there will be a significant difference among the
treatments, the means will be separated using the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test at a
significance level of p = 0.05. The findings of this work are envisaged to assist farmers
and agricultural officers in coming up with an integrated pest management system for
managing C. partellus instead of using insecticides.