On-farm evaluation of the 'push-pull' technology for the control of stemborers and striga weed on maize in western Kenya

Published source details Khan Z.R., Midega C.A.O., Amudavi D.M., Hassanali A. & Pickett J.A. (2008) On-farm evaluation of the 'push-pull' technology for the control of stemborers and striga weed on maize in western Kenya. Field Crops Research, 106, 224-233.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Combine trap and repellent crops in a push-pull system Action Link

Combine trap and repellent crops in a push-pull system

A replicated, controlled trial in 2003-2006 in 14 districts in western Kenya (Khan et al. 2008a) found 70-95% fewer purple witchweeds Striga hermonthica in a push-pull maize Zea mays cropping system (averaging 88 purple witchweeds/100 maize plants) than in maize monoculture (549 purple witchweeds), at 10 weeks after planting. Fewer maize plants were affected by stem borer (mainly maize stalk borer Busseola fusca and spotted borer Chilo partellus) damage in the push-pull system (averaging 6% of plants damaged) than in maize monoculture (23%). Maize yields were 37-129% higher in the push-pull (averaging 4.1 t/ha) than the monoculture system (2.2 t/ha) for all districts and seasons. In each district, the experiment took place on 20 randomly selected farms and for 3-7 cropping seasons. One push-pull and one monoculture plot was established on each farm. The push-pull system comprised silverleaf desmodium Desmodium uncinatum planted between maize rows, with three rows of Napier grass Pennisetum purpureum planted around the plot. The innermost row of Napier grass was planted 1 m from the maize crop. Stem borer damage was assessed for 100 maize plants/plot and purple witchweeds were counted in a 15 cm radius around each maize plant.