Chemical, physical and cultural control of Prostephanus truncatus

摘要

Since its introduction into Africa 25 years ago, approaches to the management of the larger grain borer at farm level have gone through many changes. This article reviews the literature on chemical and nonchemical protection of maize and cassava afterharvest from the perspective of the small-scale farmer during this period. The influence of traditional store design on Prostephanus truncatus and the history of changes in the use of post-harvest chemicals are described. Synthetic and non-synthetic chemicals, host plant resistance, store design, fumigation, plant products, inert dusts and thermal disinfestation all have a role to play. Attention is also given to the ways in which farmers in sub-Saharan Africa coped with the introduction of and damagecaused by Prostephanus truncatus. Given the expense, poor distribution and health concerns of the use of synthetic chemicals, emphasis should be placed on the integration of low cost and low impact methods that could provide adequate control of this important post-harvest pest.