Use of Local Plants to Control Sorghum Insect Pests in the Field

摘要

Insects can attack sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] from seedling through maturity stages (Teetes and Pendleton 2000). Insect pests of sorghum in Africa include aphids, especially the sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)]; sorghum midge [Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillet)]; and panicle-feeding bugs such as Eurystylus immaculatus (Autrique and Perreaux 1989). Sugarcane aphid nymphs and adults suck sap from all stages of sorghum. Chlorotic spots appear on the leaves and plant growth may be stunted. Aphids also excrete honeydew on which molds develop. A sorghum midge lays an egg between the glumes of a flowering spikelet of sorghum, and the larva that develops inside destroys the kernel (Diarisso 1997). Yield losses of 100% can occurto panicles in a field. Bugs such as E. immaculatus puncture developing kernels during feeding and oviposition, causing the kernels to shrivel and increasing the plant's vulnerability to pathogens (Doumbia 1992). Pathogens, especially grain mold, decrease grain quality and yield. Panicle bugs can cause 60% yield loss.