Title: Push-pull technology: a conservation agriculture approach for integrated management of insect pests, weeds and soil health in Africa

Abstract: Push-pull technology (push-pull.net) is based on a novel cropping system developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Rothamsted Research (UK) and national partners for integrated pest, weed and soil management in cereal-livestock farming systems. Stemborers are attracted to Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), a trap plant (pull), and are repelled from the main cereal crop using a repellent legume intercrop (push), desmodium (Desmodium spp.). Desmodium root exudates effectively control the parasitic striga weed by causing abortive germination. Desmodium also improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, natural mulching, improved biomass and control of erosion. Both companion plants provide high value animal fodder, facilitating milk production and diversifying farmers' income sources. The technology is appropriate to smallholder mixed cropping systems in Africa. It effectively addresses major production constraints, increases maize yields from below 1 to 3.5t/ha, and is economical as it is based on locally available plants, not expensive external inputs. Adopted by over 30,000 farmers to date in East Africa, key factors in its further up-scaling include effective technology dissemination, adaptability of companion plants for climate resilience, capacity building and multi-stakeholder collaboration, integration with livestock husbandry, improvement in input accessibility and creation of a supportive policy framework. [Khan, Zeyaur; Midega, Charles; Pittchar, Jimmy; Pickett, John; Bruce, Toby. Push-pull technology: a conservation agriculture approach for integrated management of insect pests, weeds and soil health in Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, Sustainable intensification: increasing productivity in African food and agricultural systems , pp. 162-170(9)]

Keywords: cereal-livestock integration; conservation agriculture; integrated pest and soil management; push-pull; soil fertility; stemborers; striga weed

Original Source



Article: WeedsNews1864 (permalink)
Categories: :WeedsNews:research alert, :WeedsNews:grain crop weeds, :WeedsNews:integrated control, :WeedsNews:agricultural weed
Date: 20 July 2011; 11:32:38 am Australian Eastern Standard Time

Author Name: Zheljana Peric
Author ID: zper12