The Albertine Journal We Go Deeper
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Maize farmers are increasingly concerned about pests attacking their fields at various growth stages.
Climate change has led to mutations among these pests, enhancing their survival rates and increasing resistance to available pesticides.
In a recent conversation with Oyeti Joshou, a maize farmer in Kikuube district, Western Uganda, he shared that for the past decade, farmers have struggled to identify the right pesticide for each growth stage.
This uncertainty raises production costs and results in losses as they experiment with different treatments.
Joshou faces a range of pests, including cutworms, maize stem borers, armyworms, aphids, birds, and monkeys, all of which target his crops at different stages of growth.
Additionally, the lack of expertise regarding appropriate pesticides, application rates, timing, and methods has further complicated the challenges for farmers.
To effectively manage pests, it is essential for farmers to understand their daily emergence, feeding habits, life cycles, activity levels, and the crops they affect.
Ugandan maize farmers are frustrated by the losses incurred from pest and disease attacks, which lead to increased aflatoxin levels and lower grain quality.
To combat these challenges, farmers must be equipped with diverse knowledge, technical expertise, and information about pest protection and survival strategies.
Army worms
This is one of the serious and destructive insect pests which feeds on the most sensitive parts of the maize during growth.
Feeding habits
• It attacks maize at all stages of corn growth.
• It’s a nocturnal creature i.e it feeds at night or cool conditions during the day.
• It feeds while creating frass which act as its protective gear towards chemical and enemy’s harm.
• It is most active during the larva stage upon maize destruction.
Control
• Biological; introduce wasp as a control agent which feeds on the lava.
• Cultural; Deep ploughing the soil to bury the larvae and pupae, timely planting, removal of crop residues after harvesting.
• Chemical; use amectin benzoate known as Amidox, rocket with active ingredient of cypermethrin and prefenos at a rate of 30ls per 20 litres of water, belt 5mls per 20liters of water. But always spray during evening hours.
• The IPM gives a total assurance to armyworm control.
Cutworms:
These are most serious and destructive immediately after seed germination from the soil.
Feeding habits
• Cutworms normally feed during cooler hours especially at night and early in the morning before sunrise.
• They have sharp mandibles which cut the leaves of germinating seedling off at soil level like a razorblade. The most affected crops include maize, beans, etcetera. The pest attacks the soft plant by cutting it
Control
• Use of treated seeds from certified seed companies like NASECO, East African seeds, Miika Albertine seed.
• Timely planting
• Seed soaking in pesticides like Roket, profecron, ambushi for at least 6 hours.
Maize streak borer
These are destructive at larvae stage where they tunnel holes into maize stems creating galleries filled with frass.
Control
• Destroying crop residues after maize harvest.
• Use of systemic pesticide like striker at a rate of 10mls per 20 litres of water during plant growth at an interval of every 14 days.
• Crop rotation
Aphids
These are small, soft bodied sucking insects’ creatures which may be green, black, brown, pink or almost colourless found on the under -side of the maize leaves.
Feeding habits.
• They feed by sucking plant sap.
• They deposit honey dew which grows into sooty molds
sharply from its base.
• They feed while excreting hence vectors for plant viruses.
Control
• Crop monitoring and application of insecticide when spotted in the field example Dimethoate 40% known as tafgor, at a rate of 30mls per 20 litre of water, azadichitin
• Use of bio-pesticide not harmful to natural enemies such as neem, soapy water.
• Crop rotation
• Intercropping with repellent crops like lemon grass.
Maize weevil
Their larvae bore into grain making small holes leading to faecal contamination.
Adults are shiny black
Control
• Timely harvesting.
• Cleaning of the storage facility prior to storage.
• Use of hermetic bags: pic bags which are air tight.
• Use of disinfectants like aluminium phosphide.
• Do not store old stock with new stock after harvest
The Author is a Researcher, Senior Agricultural Extension Officer, Agribusiness Consultant and CEO at Royal Agro-Input suppliers Buhimba Shop in Kikuube district.
