A Braconidae Parasite (Bracon sp. near celer Szepligeti) on Pigeonpea Pod Fly (Melanagromyza chalcosoma Spencer) in Farmers' Fields in Southern and Eastern Africa

The incidence and distribution of Bracon sp. near B. celer, a parasitoid of Melanagromyza chalcosoma, were assessed in major pigeon pea-growing areas in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, during 1995 and 1996. Populations of M. chalcosoma were greatest in Kenya and infestations were high in areas where the crop matured late in the season or in cool weather. Areas near the coast at <500 m altitude had insignificant populations of M. chalcosoma and no parasitoids were recorded. As the pest population increased, the incidence of the parasitoid also increased. Mean parasitism rates were recorded as 5.2, 2.6, 3.0 and 2.3% for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, respectively.It is concluded that B. celer is widespread and could contribute to the management of M. chalcosoma on pigeon peas

Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections among schoolchildren in rural Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections continue to impact the nutritional status and health of children in lower-income countries, however not enough data concerning this issue is available. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of nutritional indicators, anemia and micronutrient deficiency and their underlying risk factors among schoolchildren in south-eastern Tanzania. METHOD/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This cross-sectional study enrolled primary schoolchildren aged 6-12 years from Kikwawila and Kiberege wards, Tanzania. In total 471 schoolchildren underwent physical examination and provided blood, stool and urine samples for micronutrient level assessment, nutritional and anemia status, and parasitic infection status. We employed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between nutritional statuses, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections. We found that 23.90%, 12.60% and 16.20% of schoolchildren were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. About 14% of schoolchildren were found to be anemic and were more likely to be diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum infection (aOR: 3.95, 95% CI: 2.73-5.67). Vitamin A (34.70%) and vitamin B12 (8.80%) were the most prevalent micronutrients found to be deficient in diagnosed children. Finally, we found that schoolchildren attending the most rural schools were five times more likely to be diagnosed with at least one micronutrient deficiency (aOR: 5.04, 95% CI: 2.38-11.44). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Malnutrition, anemia and micronutrient deficiency still pose a significant health burden among schoolchildren living in rural Tanzania. To effectively tackle this burden, health interventions such as deworming, micronutrient supplementation, vector control, health education and access to clean water and improved sanitation should be strengthened and made sustainable

Insect pests of pigeonpea and their management

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important crop in semi-arid tropical and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed, and firewood. Insect pests feeding on flowers, pods, and seeds are the most important biotic constraint affecting pigeonpea yields. This review summarizes the biology and ecology of the three most important groups of pests: flower- and pod-feeding Lepidoptera, pod-sucking Hemiptera, and seed-feeding Diptera and Hymenoptera. Recent research investigating the complex interactions among pigeonpea, its key pests, and their natural enemies is also reviewed. These relationships have implications on the pest status of individual species and on possible control strategies. Pigeonpea pest management research has focused until recently on the identification and development of resistant cultivars and on chemical control. Future research must focus on environmentally sound pest management strategies that are compatible with the needs and limitations of pigeonpea farmers. Several priority areas for research are suggested

Insect pest incidence on long-duration Uganda pigeonpea lines at Kabete in Kenya

Eight local long-duration landraces from Kitgum and Gulu in Uganda were grown at Kabete during 1998-99. Insect pest and damage assessments were conducted at pod maturity. The insect pests that caused damage on the pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) lines were pod fly (Melanagromyza chalcosoma), pod borers (Etiella zinckenella, Lampides sp. and Helicoverpa armigera) and pod-sucking bugs (Clavigralla tomentosicollis). In general, total seed damage was low and the percentage damage by pod fly was 2-7%. Pod fly accounted for 80% of the total seed damage, pod borers 12.7% and pod-sucking bugs 6.3%. ICEAP lines 00954, 00955, 00956 and 00957 had relatively higher levels of damage than the other lines. ICEAP 00953 and 00958 appeared more tolerant of pod fly

The use of 0.01M phosphate buffered saline as detection buffer for Alere Determine® HIV rapid test in resource limited settings

Insufficient supply of manufacture’s buffers/diluents in relation to the number of strips per kit has been found to have negative impact on patients’ results. Some laboratories personnel tend to use diluents from other rapid tests manufacturers such as Bioline, Unigold as well as malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT). This study aimed at evaluating the use of 0.01M phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as detection buffer for Alere Determine® HIV rapid test. This study was carried out at Bugando School of Medicine in Mwanza, Tanzania. A total of 300 whole blood specimens; 150 HIV positive specimens from patients attending Care and Treatment Centreand 150 HIV negative specimens were retested for HIV status using Alere Determine® HIV rapid test employing normal Alere buffer and 0.01M PBS as buffer.Of the total specimens tested; 150 (100%) of HIV positive were positive by using both Alere buffer and 0.01M PBS while 150(100%) of HIV negative samples were negative by both Alere Determine® and 0.01M PBS. The agreement between 0.01M PBS and Alere Determine® buffer was 100%. The value of kappa indicates perfect agreement between 0.01M PBS and Alere Determine® buffer (100%). A 0.01M PBS is recommended as alternative detection buffer for Alere Determine® in cases of insufficient supply. Further investigation to evaluate the suitable buffer for other rapid tests for HIV and other diseases is recommended especially in resource limited settings.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Components for Control of Armored Bush Cricket on Pearl Millet and Sorghum in Farmers' Fields in Namibia and Zambia

Armored bush crickets (Acanthoplus spp.) are sporadic pests on cereals in southern Africa. The performance of different IPM components on pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum] in Namibia and sorghum in Namibia and Zambia is reported, based on on-farm participatory trials

Efficacy of Different Insecticides for Pigeonpea Pest Management in Kenya

Trials were conducted at Kabete and Kiboko in 1995-96 to evaluate the efficacy of some insecticides on short-, medium- and long-duration pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) genotypes. At Kabete, endosulfan, dimethoate, pirimiphos-methyl, fluvalinate, Bacillus thuringiensis and neem extract were evaluated on short-duration genotype ICPL 87091. At Kiboko, endosulfan, dimethoate, pirimiphos-methyl, B. thuringiensis and deltamethrin were evaluated on short-duration ICPL 87091, medium-duration ICP 6927 and long-duration ICEAP 00020. The major insect pests on pigeon pea were pod borers (Helicoverpa armigera, Maruca vitrata, Etiella zinckenella and Lampides boeticus at Kiboko, and H. armigera, E. zinckenella and L. boeticus at Kabete), pod-sucking bugs (Clavigralla tomentosicollis) and pod fly (Melanagromyza chalcosoma). The results indicated that all sprays improved grain yields and seed quality at Kabete, with 57-152% grain yield gains with different insecticides. Endosulfan performed better among the high volume sprayed insecticides at Kabete. Pod fly damage was less in plots treated with dimethoate and endosulfan. Results from Kiboko showed that ultra-low-volume (ULV) spraying was more efficient than high volume sprayed insecticides. Endosulfan was also good among the high volume sprays. Spraying the short-duration genotype with ULV resulted in lower pest population than the medium- and long-duration genotypes. Neem extract and B. thuringiensis were not as effective as the synthetic insecticides at both locations

Diseases and pests of pigeonpea in eastern Africa: a review

Pigeonpea is one of the major legume crops grown in eastern Africa but has been relatively neglected in terms of research and development. The peas are a rich source of protein and the crop is nitrogen-fixing and drought tolerant. It is an ideal crop for the semi-arid areas of Africa and there is great potential for it to be more widely grown. The large number of pests and diseases which attack pigeonpea in Africa (and elsewhere) is perhaps the main constraint to increased production. The most important pest worldwide is the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, but the flowers and pods are attractive to a wide range of insect pests. The most important disease in eastern Africa is Fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum) and considerable effort has been devoted by ICRISAT to developing wilt-resistant pigeonpeas, adapted to cultivation in the region. This paper reviews the literature on pests and diseases of pigeonpea with special reference to eastern Africa and presents some new information on distribution and damage levels for the key pests and disease

Natural Enemies Associated with Arthropod Pests of Pigeonpea in Eastern Africa

Common arthropod pests and beneficial species were surveyed on pigeon peas in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, during 1995-96. Three pest groups were found: pod-boring Lepidoptera (Helicoverpa armigera, Maruca vitrata and Etiella zinckenella), pod-sucking bugs (mainly Clavigralla tomentosicollis) and pod fly (Melanagromyza chalcosoma). Natural enemies included Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera and were found more frequently in Kenya than in the other countries

Evaluation Of Pigeonpea Pod Borer And Pod Fly Tolerant Lines At Kabete And Kiboko In Kenya

Pigeonpea lines which have shown tolerance to pod borer and pod fly damage at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India, were tested in the field at Kabete and Kiboko, Kenya, and compared with five local checks. There were sprayed and unsprayed plots for each line. Endosulfan 35 E.C. was applied at 0.07% active ingredient (a.i.) starting at flower bud expansion stage, at 50% flowering, early podding, and full podding stages. At crop maturity, all pods from three plants plot-1 were sampled and seed damage by different insect pests determined. The results showed that seeds from all lines were damaged by pod borers and pod sucking bugs. Pod fly incidence was greater at Kabete than at Kiboko, and damage was lower on test lines than on checks. Spraying reduced seed damage from 57.6% to 9.3% and from 59.9% to 4.5% on pod borer lines and pod fly lines, respectively, at Kiboko, and from 19.9% to 5.4% on pod fly lines at Kabete. At Kiboko seed damage in unsprayed pod borer (57.6%) and pod fly (59.9%) lines was similar. Seed damage on pod fly lines at Kiboko (59.9%) was significantly higher than at Kabete (19.9%). Positive significant correlations were observed between seed mass and pod fly damage at Kabete (r = 0.31*) and Kiboko (r = 0.30*). The results indicated that although some lines showed tolerance to pod borer and pod fly damage, they were highly susceptible to pod sucking bugs, suggesting that such tolerance does not hold against other insect groups