Effect of Intercropping Pattern on Stem Borer Infestation in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Grown in the Nigerian Sudan Savannah

M. M. Degri, D. M. Mailafiya, J. S. Mshelia

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe, Nigeria.
Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ae.2014.22014                

Abstract

Fields experiments were conducted at the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm, Maiduguri during 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons to investigate the effects of intercropping pattern on stem borer pest infestation in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) intercropped with ground nut (Arachis hypogea L.). A split-plot design was used to test the intercrop pattern of 1:0 ratio (sole millet), 1:1 ratio (1 millet row to 1 ground nut row), 2:1 ratio (2 millet rows to 1 ground nut row) and 1:2 ratio (1 millet row to 2 ground nut rows). The results obtained showed that the intercrop pattern of 1:2 ratio and 1:1 ratio yielded less stem borer infestation and abundance in pearl millet, and as well supported high panicle weight and grain yield. In addition to recommending either of these two intercropping patterns to pearl millet farmers for more effective stem borer pest management, results further show the need for identification of effective intercropping patterns in other cropping systems.

Keywords

Pearl Millet, Stem Borer, Intercropping, Sudan Savannah

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Risch, S.J., Andow, D. and Altieri, M.A. (1983) Agro-Ecosystem Diversity and Pest Control: Data, Tentative Conclusions and New Research Directions. Environmental Entomology, 12, 625-629.
[2]	Andow, D.A. (1991) Vegetation Diversity and Arthropod Population Response. Annual Review of Entomology, 36, 561-586. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.36.010191.003021
[3]	Thies, C. and Tscharntke, T. (1999) Landscape Structure and Biological Control in Agroecosystems. Science, 285, 893-895. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.285.5429.893
[4]	Baliddawa, C.W. (1985) Plant Species Diversity and Crop Pest Control—An Analytical Review. Insect Science and Its Application, 6, 479-487.
[5]	Ajayi, O. (1986) Possibility for Integrated Control of Millet Stem-Borer (Acigonia ignefusalis) in Zaria. 16th Annual Conference at IAR, 16-20 March 1986, 3.
[6]	Singh, K.A., Ahlawat, I.P.S. and Mahiendrapal, H. (1986) Cropping Systems Research 1. Concept, Needs and Directions. Proceedings of the National Symposium on Cropping Systems, New Delhi, Indian Society of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
[7]	Chatterjee, B.N. and Mandal, B.K. (1992) Present Trends in Research on Intercropping. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, 62, 507-518.
[8]	Songa, J.M., Jiang, N., Schulthess, F. and Omwega, C. (2007) The Role of Intercropping Different Cereal Species in Controlling Lepidopteran Stems Borers on Maize in Kenya. Journal of Applied Entomology, 131, 40-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01116.x
[9]	Gautan, R.C. and Kaushik, S. (1980) Studies on Planting Dates and Intercropping of Pearl Millet with Grain Legumes. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 25, 441-446.
[10]	ICRISAT (1981) Proceedings of the International Workshop on Intercropping, Hyderabad, 10-13 January 1979, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics.
[11]	Reddy, S.R. (2012) Agronomy of Field Crops. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, 245-264.
[12]	Nwanze, K.F. (1989) Insect Pests of Pearl Millet in West Africa. Acigonia ignefusalis (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera); Distribution, Population Dynamics and Assessment of Crop Damage. Tropical Pest Management, 35, 137-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670878909371342
[13]	Polaszek, A. (1986) African Cereal Stem Borers: Economic Importance, Taxonomy, Natural Enemies and Control. CTA/CABI, Wallingford.
[14]	Mailafiya, D.M. and Degri, M.M. (2012) Stem Borers’ Species Composition, Abundance and Infestation on Maize and Millet in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Archieves of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, 45, 1286-1291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2012.673262
[15]	Altieri, M.A. and Liebman, M.Z. (1986) Insect, Weed and Plant Disease Management in Multiple Cropping Systems. In: Francis, C.A., Ed., Multiple Cropping Systems, Macmillan, New York, 183-218.
[16]	Gomez, A.A. (1990) Farming System Research Approach to Identifying Farmers’ Production Problems. Farming System Research Approach, 8, 63-70.
[17]	Dhaliwal, G.S. and Arora, R. (1996) Principles of Insect Pest Management. National Agricultural Technology Information Centre, Ludhana.
[18]	Bosque-Pérez, N.A. and Marek, J.H. (1991) Effect of the Stem Borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on the Yield of Maize. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 81, 243-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007485300033496
[19]	Cardwell, K.F., Schulthess, F., Ndemah, R. and Ngoko, Z. (1997) A System Approach to Assess Crop Health and Maize Yield Losses Due to Pests and Diseases in Cameroon. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 65, 33-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(97)00056-X
[20]	Sétamou, M., Schulthess, F., Poehling, H.M. and Brgemeister, C. (2000) Monitoring and Modeling of Field Infestation and Damage by the Maize Ear Borer Mussidia nigrivenella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Benin, West Africa. Journal of Economic Entomology, 93, 650-657. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-93.3.650
[21]	Ndemah, R. and Schulthess, F. (2002) Yield of Maize in Relation to Natural Field Infestations and Damage by Lepidopterous Borers in the Forest and Forest/Savanna Transition Zones of Cameroon. Insect Science and Its Application, 22, 183-193.
[22]	Sétamou, M., Schulthess, F., Bosque-Pérez, N.A. and Thomas-Odjo, A. (1995) The Effect of Stem Borers on Maize Subjected to Different Nitrogen Treatments. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 77, 205-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1995.tb02002.x
[23]	Chabi-Olaye, A., Nolte, C., Schulthess, F. and Borgemeister, C. (2005) Effects of Grain Legumes and Cover Crops on Maize Yield and Plant Damage by Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Humid Forest of Southern Cameroon. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 65, 73-83.
[24]	Willey, R.W. (1979) Intercropping Its Importance and Research Needs 1. Competition and Yield Advantage and 2. Agronomy and Research Approaches. Field Crop Abstracts, 32, 73-85.
[25]	Risch, S.J. (1983) Intercropping as Cultural Pest Control. Prospects and Limitations. Environmental Management, 7, 9-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01867035
[26]	Adesiyun, A.A. (1983) Some Effects of Intercropping of Sorghum, Millet and Maize on Infestation by Lepidopterous Stalkborers, Particularly Busseola fusca. Insect Science Application, 4, 387-391.
[27]	Ofori, F. and Stern, W.R. (1987) Cereal-Legume Intercropping Systems. Advances in Agronomy, 41, 41-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60802-0
[28]	Rao, M.R. (1986) Cereals in Multiple Cropping. In: Francis, C.A., Ed., Multiple Cropping Systems, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 34-39.
[29]	Verma, A.N. and Singh, S.I. (1989) Cultural Control of Sorghum Stem Borers. In: ICRISAT, International Workshop on Sorghum Stem Borers, ICRISAT Centre, Patancheru, 81-87.
[30]	Steiner, K.G. (1984) Intercropping in Tropical Small Holder Agriculture with Special Reference to West Africa. GTZ, Eschborn.
[31]	Taneja, S.L. and Nwanze, K.F. (1989) Assessment of Yield Loss of Sorghum and Pearl Millet Due to Stem Borer Damage. In: Nwanze, K.F., Ed., International Workshop on Sorghum Stems Borers, ICRISAT Centre, Patancheru, 95-104.
[32]	Ajayi, O. (1990) Possibilities for Integrated Control of the Millet Stem Borer. Acigona ignefusalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Nigeria. Insect Science Application, 11, 109-117.
[33]	Kfir, R. (1991) Non-Chemical Control of Grain Stem Borers. Plant Protection News, 23, 4.
[34]	Okigbo, B.N. and Greenland, D.J. (1976) Intercropping Systems in Tropical Africa in Multiple Cropping. ASA Special Publication, 27, 63-101.
[35]	Lawani, S.M. (1982) A Review of the Effects of Various Agronomic Practices on Cereal Stem Borer Populations. Tropical Pest Management, 28, 266-276. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670878209370720
[36]	Youm, O., Mamalo, A.K. and Nwanze, K.F. (1993) Bio-Ecology and Integrated Management of the Millet Stem Borer (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae): A Review and Highlights of Current Research at the ICRISAT Sahelian Centre. Proceedings of the Regional Pearl Millet Workshop, Niamey, 19-21 September 1990, 55-63.
[37]	Ampong-Nyarko, K., Seshu-Reddy, K.V., Nyagor, R.A. and Saxena, K.N. (1994) Reduction of Insect Pest Attack on Sorghum and Cowpea Intercropping. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 70, 179-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1994.tb00745.x
[38]	Khan, Z.R., Ampong-Nyarko, K., Chiliswa, P., Hassanali, A. and Kimani, S. (1997) Intercropping Increases Parasitism of Pests. Nature, 388, 631-632.
[39]	Harris, K.M. (1989) Recent Advances in Sorghum and Pearl Millet Stem Borers Research. In: Nwanze, K.F., Ed., International Workshop Sorghum Stems Borers, ICRISAT Centre, Patancheru, 9-16.
[40]	Kayumbo, H.Y. (1976) Pest Control in Mixed Cropping System. In: Manyo, J.H., Ker, A.D.R. and Campbell, M., Eds., Intercropping in Semi-Arid Areas, 39-47.
[41]	Uva, I.I. (1985) Potential of Crops Diversity for Pest Management II. Mechanisms of Influence. Nigerian Journal of Entomology, 6, 14-23.
[42]	Trenbath, B.R. (1993) Intercropping for the Management of Pests and Diseases. Field Crop Research, 34, 381-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(93)90123-5
[43]	Chabiolaye, A., Nolte, C., Schulthess, F. and Borgemeister, C. (2005) Relationships of Intercropped Maize Stem Borer Damage to Maize Yield and Land-Use Efficiency in the Humid Forest of Cameroon. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 95, 417-427. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/BER2005373