Effect of agroecosystem diversity on natural enemies of maize stemborers in coastal Kenya

Published source details Midega C.A.O., Ogol C.K.P.O. & Overholt W.A. (2004) Effect of agroecosystem diversity on natural enemies of maize stemborers in coastal Kenya. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 24, 280-286.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Use alley cropping Action Link

Use alley cropping

A replicated, randomised, controlled trial in 1999-2000 in Mtwapa, Kenya (Midega et al. 2004) (same study as Midega et al. 2005) found no significant differences in the number of parasitised stem borer (Lepidoptera) eggs, egg predation rates, larval and pupal parasitism and mortality rates between alley cropped maize Zea mays plots (with hedgerows of leucaena Leucaena leucocephala and/or gliricidia Gliricidia sepium trees) and plots without hedgerows. Hedges were planted in 1999 in plots of 16 x 13 m with 3.2 m alleys between hedges. Treatments included two plots with leucaena hedges, one plot with gliricidia hedges, two plots with alternating hedges of leucaena and gliricidia and four controls without hedges. This experimental design was replicated four times. Leucaena and gliricidia were pruned to 0.3 m before cropping and pruned foliage was applied as mulch. Four rows of maize were planted in 1999 and 2000 between hedges. Ten maize plants with stem borer egg batches were marked and inspected three days later for parasitism. Healthy and partially eaten eggs were analysed to identify parasitoids. Each week, stalks of 10 maize plants/plot were dissected to locate stem borers, which were then raised in the laboratory and assessed for parasitoids and mortality.