1. Alemu Araya, Abraha Gebretsadkan and Gebremedhn Beyene
On Farm Training on the Role of “Push-Pull” Strategy as Integrated Pest Management Options in South-eastern Zone of Tigray
Alemu Araya, Abraha Gebretsadkan and Gebremedhn Beyene
Department of Dryland Crop and Horticultural Sciences, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, P O Box 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
1. INTRODUCTION
3. Results
3.1. Diagrammatic pictures
4. Conclusion
push-pull strategy is a model type of IPM in crop protection and the concept of controlling pests that attack maize and sorghum by establishing a semio-chemical based “push–pull” system using companion crops is highly appropriate (Hassanali et al., 2008). Push-pull is an intercropping system in which cereals (maize & sorghum) are intercropping with legumes and grasses to increase soil fertility and to control stem borer and striga (Hassanali et al., 2008). hence, expanding the push-pull type of intercropping to all parts of the maize & sorghum growers is one solution to minimize the yield reduction due to striga and stem borers. the average national yields are (25 & 21 qt ha-1 respectively) which is below the average level of Africa (30-50 qt ha-1) (Demeke, 2012). this yield reduction could be due to many factors like striga and stem borer causing 40-50% & 20-40% yield loss, respectively (khan et al., 2006). Hence the objective of the training was to train farmers on the role of push-pull strategy as IPM options, to confirm the role of push-pull strategy for increasing soil fertility, to attest the role of Desmodium uncinatum in repelling pests and increase forage production and to prove the contribution of push-pull strategy in increasing yield of cereal crops
Fig.2 On farm training and discussing how farmers could demonstrate the push-pull technology
Fig 3. Farmers group discussion and presentation about push-pull technology
Fig. 4. Questioning and answering
push-pull technology as IPM options
The role and contribution of intercropping sorghum with desmodium and growing of elephant grass at the border of the sorghum farm was better probably duet to the desmodium legume which can have multiple advantages such as enhancing soil fertility, inhibiting germination of striga by producing chemicals from its root, pushing stalk borer by releasing repellents and improving livestock feed, and the border plant, elephant grass can pull and kill the maize insect (stalk borer) by producing attractants.
Farmers were allowed to ask and discuss on the push-pull application. As they were very happy and eager to ask on this newly introducing strategy to control striga weed and stalk borer insect. Participants were ask on some points such as on the availability of the legume (desmodium) and elephant grass. Based on these and other points, the two way discussion was very hot. finally, farmers got promise to apply this method of pest controlling strategy and to tell their neighboring farmers immediately after their return home. And also they gave some suggestions such as: government and private sectors should be established to cultivate, produce and distribute seeds of the desmodium legume and elephant grass, and then famers can easily get access those inputs to apply the strategy.
Fig 1.field layout
The training were victorious in terms of the general impressions of the respondents and knowledge gained (about pest management, forage production and soil fertility increment). It has been concluded that intercropping of sorghum with desmodium bordered by elephant grass reduced pests, increased soil fertility and yield of sorghum and desmodium . After finishing the course, trainees recommended that, the training course should address for all zones of the region in particular and the country in general.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Mekelle University for providing the fund to conduct the community service. We also extend our gratitude to the College of Dry land Agriculture and Natural Resources for facilitating transport during the study period.
References
Demeke M., Analysis of incentives and disincentives for maize in Ethiopia. Technical notes series, MAFAP, FAO, Rome.
Hassanali, A, Herren, H, Khan R.,. Pickett, A and Woodcock, M. (2008). IPM: the push–pull approach for controlling pests of cereals, and its potential for animal husbandry. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 363:6 11–621.
Khan, Z.R., A. Hassanali, and J.A. Pickett Managing polycropping to enhance soil system productivity: a case study from Africa. Pp in N. Uphoff (Ed.), Biological approaches to sustainable soil systems. CRC Press, New York.
2. METHOES
The training was conducted in Enderta woreda, tabia Semha. Four woredas’ (Enderta, Seharti Samre, Hintalo Wajerat and Degua Tembien) were involved in the training. Three tabias were selected from each woreda’s and priority was given for those which have a serious pest problems, poor soil fertility and shortage of fodder for animals. Twenty four farmers were invited and participated in the training program. Layout of the demonstration site contained growing maize as sole , growing maize as row intercropping with desmodium, growing of maize as row intercropping with desmodium and bordered by elephant grass and growing of maize bordered by elephant grass
Contact information
Alemu Araya (MSc)  Assi. Prof. (Integrated Pest Management, IPM) Department of Dry-land Crop and Horticultural Sciences Mekelle University P O Box 231, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.  Mob: