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Asian Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2020 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 41-48
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Authors

Yaw Danso

Yaw Danso

Kingsley Osei

Joseph Adomako

Joseph Adomako

Umar Sanda Issa

Ernest Baafi

Ernest Baafi

Bismark Abugri

Hugues Baimey

Keywords

Background and Objective: Cylas species infestation is a serious pest threat to sustainable sweetpotato production in Ghana. For integrated Cylas species management, exploiting the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes, noting and appreciating sweetpotato farmers’ production practices is essential. Sweetpotato production practices and Cylas spp. management options in some major growing areas of southern Ghana were assessed. Materials and Methods: Farmer-level structured questionnaire was designed, pretested and used to collect information from 270 respondents employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Results: Seventy-nine percent of the farmers cultivated local sweetpotato cultivars. Eighty-six percent practiced sole cropping while 47% managed their own planting material from the previous crop. Sixty-nine percent cited Cylas species as the most important sweetpotato pest. Ninety-seven percent responded positively to awareness of Cylas spp. infestations in sweetpotato production. Major Cylas species management options indicated by farmers were; insecticides application, early harvesting, earthing up, crop rotation and weed control in order of significance. Seventy percent (70%) did not manage Cylas species infestations in sweetpotato production. Conclusion: Cylas spp. management with synthetic farm insecticides must be discouraged on grounds of human and environmental health concerns. Biological control, which involves incorporating entomopathogenic nematodes should be encouraged in an integrated pest management system for environmental friendliness.
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