Integrated Pest Management of the Yam Chip Beetle <em>Dinoderus porcellus</em> Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): Current Status and Future Prospects

In West Africa, Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is a pest that attacks and spoils stored yam chips. Despite this fact, very little attention has been given to this pest, which could destroy up to 65% of stocks. In order to prevent any damages, farmers are widely using chemical substances for fighting against this pest despite their negative impacts on human health and environment. This chapter aims at proposing a solution approach and discussing the development of an integrated pest management strategy. The solution approach includes storage bags, varietal resistance, botanicals, and biological control. Further research should be done on the use of hermetic bags, essential oils, entomopathogens, insect growth regulators, pheromones, and their combined effects in the D. porcellus control

<b>Post-harvest conservation practices, Insect pests of stored pearl millet (</b><b><i>Pennisetum glaucum</i></b><b> (L) R. Br.), and their management in northern Benin</b>

These DATA are obtained from surveys in the northern Benin.</p

Farmers’ perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin

Abstract Background Although termites are considered as agricultural pests, they play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem. Therefore, it matters to investigate the farmers’ perception of the impacts of the termites on the agriculture and their indigenous utilization. Methods A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 94 farmers through 10 villages of Atacora department, in the northwestern region of Benin, to obtain information for the development of successful strategies of termite management and conservation. Their perceptions on the importance and management of termites along with the indigenous nomenclature and utilization of termite mounds were assessed. Termite species identified by farmers were collected and preserved in 80% alcohol for identification. Results Eight crops were identified by farmers as susceptible to termites with maize, sorghum, and yam as being the most susceptible. According to farmers, the susceptibility to termites of these crops is due to their high-water content and sweet taste. A total of 27 vernacular names of termites were recorded corresponding to 10 species, Amitermes evuncifer, Macrotermes subhyalinus, and Trinervitermes oeconomus being the most damaging termite species. All the names given to termite species had a meaning. The drought was identified by farmers as the main factor favouring termite attacks. Demolition of termite mounds in the fields was the most commonly reported control method. Salt and other pesticides were commonly used by farmers to protect stored farm products. The lack of effective control methods is the main constraint for termite management. In northwestern Benin, farmers reported different purpose utilizations of termite mounds and termites. Conclusions The study has shown that farmers perceived termites as pests of several agricultural crops and apply various indigenous control practices whose efficiency need to be verified. Utilization of termites and termite mound soil as food and medicinal resources underlines the need for a more focused approach to termite control for the conservation of non-pest termite species. The sensitization of farmers on the importance of termites as well as the development of an integrated control method to combat termite pests proved necessary

Resistance of dried chips of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-D. rotundata complex) landraces to Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are one of the food crops that contribute to food security and poverty alleviation in Benin and, like several other products, the post-harvest phase is threatened by the rotting of fresh tubers. To overcome this constraint, yam tubers are traditionally processed into dried chips which unfortunately are severely attacked by Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Research studies on relative resistance of dried chips of 24 yam landraces to the attack of D. porcellus during storage were carried out using free-choice tests (antixenosis) and non-choice tests under laboratory conditions. Attractiveness of yam chips, mortality of initial pest populations, weight loss, and also the Dobie’s index of susceptibility were considered as indicators of resistance. The results revealed that the landraces Boniwouré and Wonmangou were significantly less attractive and consumed by D. porcellus. The highest mortality rate of D. porcellus was observed on the landrace Boniwouré followed by Alahina. Based on the Dobie index of susceptibility five yam landraces (Gaboubaba, Boniwouré, Alahina, Yakanougo, and Wonmangou) were scored as resistant to D. porcellus. All the remaining landraces were categorized as moderately resistant. Based on the present study, these five resistant landraces deserve special consideration and may be recommended for relatively longer storage to achieve the goal of sustainable management of D. porcellus

Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management practices for termite pests of maize in Southern Benin

Termite (Isoptera: Termitidae) infestation is an important constraint of maize production in Benin. A survey of 300 households was conducted in 2018 throughout 30 villages in Southern Benin to evaluate farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management practices of maize termite pests using focus group discussions and individual interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that for most of the farmers, maize is the most susceptible crop to termite attacks and the maturation developmental stage having the highest termite abundance and damage. A total of 43 different names of maize termite pests corresponding to 8 species were recorded in the study area. Size and colour were the main criteria used by farmers to classify and identify maize termite pests. Amitermes evuncifer was perceived as the most damaging to maize during vegetative and maturation stages, while Macrotermes bellicosus was perceived by famers (32.5%) as most damaging during seedling and flowering maize development stages. Erratic rainfall was perceived by maize producers as the most important factor favouring termite infestation in maize fields. The majority of the local maize is considered by farmers as susceptible to termites. The use of synthetic insecticides was the main method to control termites. Four of the 20 pesticides used by farmers have active ingredients that have been listed as highly hazardous (class Ib) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Farmers training on the danger and impact of misuse of insecticides on the development of termite insecticide resistance was recommended. The development of an integrated termite management strategy is discussed and the future research for its implementation identified

Folk taxonomy and traditional uses of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces by the sociolinguistic groups in the central region of the Republic of Benin

Abstract Background Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important grain legume crop grown in the central region of the Republic of Benin. However, its production declined in recent years to the extent that its diversity is being threatened with extinction. Understanding the folk nomenclature and taxonomy, as well as use values that allow its maintenance in Beninese agricultural system, is a prerequisite to develop efficient strategies for its conservation. Knowing that each sociolinguistic group develop various uses and traditional knowledge for their crop genetic resources, we hypothesized that enhancement of farmers’ livelihood, thanks to the use values of common bean landraces, differ from one sociolinguistic group to another and contribute to their conservation in the traditional agriculture of central Benin. Methods Hundred and one common bean producers belonging to seven sociolinguistic groups selected through 23 villages of the region under study were surveyed. Data were collected through participatory research appraisal tools and techniques (individual interviews and direct observation) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Folk nomenclature and taxonomy of common bean, local uses, and factors affecting them were investigated. Results Across the seven sociolinguistic groups surveyed in the study area, five common bean generic names and 26 folk varieties corresponding to 12 landraces have been recorded. Folk nomenclature and taxonomy were mainly based on seeds’ coat color. The present study has revealed five common bean use values in the study area (food, medicinal, commercial, fodder, and mystic-religious), which are influenced by sociolinguistic groups. Leaves, roots, and seeds of three common bean folk varieties are used by surveyed farmers for disease treatment. Nine common bean folk varieties are considered by farmers as magical plants which have supernatural properties while several taboos for deities’ followers regarding Séssé landrace are inventoried across sociolinguistic groups. Level of education and age of respondents influence positively and significantly medicine and mystical-religious uses of common bean respectively while commercial use is positively influenced by age and negatively by gender. Conclusions Traditional values associated with common bean landraces in the central region of the Republic of Benin increase their chance of survival in the farming systems. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents which influence common bean use values must be taken into account in future programs of conservation. However, an assessment of diversity and analysis of distribution of extend of common bean landraces in the study area is a necessity for the development of an efficient strategy of conservation of this genetic resource

Rice pests in the Republic of Benin: farmers’ perceptions, knowledge and management practices

International audienceBACKGROUND: Rice (Oryza spp) is one of the most consumed cereals in the Republic of Benin. However, rice production is threatened by various pests, which lead to important yield losses. For the development of integrated management strategies responding to the farmers’ realities, it is important to document their perceptions, knowledge, and management of rice pests. Surveys involving 418 rice farmers to 21 ethnic groups through 39 villages were performed using rural appraisal tools. RESULTS: Farmers perceived birds, specifically weavers as the most important rice pests. The surveyed farmers also identified the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus L. and rice brown leaf spots (Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn) as the main pests in the northern region, while it is the pink stem borer, Sesamia calamistis Hampson and rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr) in the southern region, and Z. variegatus and rice yellow mottle virus (genus Sobemovirus) in central Benin. The most important rice storage constraint was the rodent attacks and the surveyed farmers proposed thirteen key solutions to minimize constraints related to rice storage. Among various pest control methods recorded, farmers used mainly synthetic chemical pesticides. However, the Beninese National Pesticide Management Committee (CNGP) does not recommend for the rice protection (prohibited pesticides or intended for the protection of other crops) most of pesticides used by farmers. Farming experience, family size, region, and number of observed pests have significantly influenced farmers’ decision to use pesticides. CONCLUSION: The rice pests perceived by farmers as important vary significantly across regions. These results suggest that IPM programs that target rice pests accounting for these regional differences will be more effective. The identified variables that influence the use of pesticides must be taken in account in the development of strategies to encourage farmers to use eco-friendly pest management

MooSciTIC: Training of trainers in West African research and higher education

International audienceThe MooSciTIC project is a capacity-building initiative targeting West African research scientists and higher education teachers. The project aimed to improve the self-reliance of researchers and upgrade research practices by providing on-site summer schools on transdisciplinary topics such as scientific writing, communication, and integrity. Here, we explain how this program was designed and implemented and share the positive responses from our trainees, hoping to inspire similar initiatives

Ethnobotanical characterization of scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) varieties cultivated in Benin (West Africa)

The African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) is an important traditional vegetable cultivated in tropical regions for its edible fruits. In the Benin Republic, S. aethiopicum is mainly cultivated by rural farmers for food and for its use in traditional medicine. Assessing varietal diversity, endogenous knowledge, production constraints and farmers' preference criteria are of great importance for promotion and conservation purposes. Using rural appraisal tools and methods, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in 680 households across 92 villages. A total of 60 local cultivars were collected and documented in the surveyed sites. We documented 15 farmers’ criteria for agronomic (57.88% of responses), culinary (28.51%) preference, and for economic (13.61%) aspects. Several constraints related to eggplant production in Benin were also recorded. The low market demand (27% of responses), lack of high-yielding cultivars (11.08% of responses), low fruit storability (10.67%), low productivity (9.84%), soil poverty (8.43%), susceptibility to high soil moisture (8.02%), pests (9.56%), diseases (8.45%), and drought (6.38%) appeared to be the most important constraints of the eggplant production system in Benin. In addition to synthetic pesticides, the eggplant farmers use botanical plant extracts such as extracts from Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) and Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae). It appears that eggplant production is still traditional and is of limited use in Benin. Finally, the currently collected germplasm was proposed for further evaluation using morphological and molecular markers to provide breeders with traits of interest for developing better eggplant varieties and hybrids that are suitable for local environmental conditions and production systems