Genetically modified (GM) maize cultivation by smallholders in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: Effects on target and non-target organisms and adoption challenges

The use of genetically modified (GM) maize technology is subject to compliance with stewardship requirements and the adoption of specific management practices that promote the long-term effectiveness and environmental sustainability of the technology. For smallholders to comply with these requirements and adopt the desired management practices to ultimately benefit from the technology, they require information that creates awareness of the value of these requirements. To determine what information farmers receive about GM maize and how this information is disseminated to farmers, face to face interviews were conducted with 81 extension personnel and 210 smallhoder GM maize farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The effect of Bt maize introduction and management practices in smallholder maize agroecosystems in the Eastern Cape on Bt maize target [Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and non-target insect pests [Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and a snail species, [Cornu aspersum (Müller) (Gastropoda: Helicidae)] was determined through laboratory, field and cage experiments. The effect of smallhoder farmers‟ GM maize cultivation practices on the profitability of GM maize technology was also determined through on-farm trials in different localities of the Eastern Cape identified as hot-spots for stem borer and weed infestation. Results of surveys indicated that extension personnel had a low level of awareness of GM maize technology stewardship requirements. GM maize technology was also largely disseminated to smallholder farmers through non-participatory approaches and print media sourced from GM seed companies. Although farmers had a high level of contact with extension services, they lacked access to information about GM maize technology. Smallholder farmers‟ level of awareness about GM maize and compliance with the requirement for the planting of non-Bt maize refuge areas adjacent to Bt maize was also very low. While Bt maize event (MON810) commonly cultivated by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province had a variable effect on A. segetum under laboratory conditions, it had no effect on the incidence of plants damaged by A. segetum and C. aspersum under field conditions. The incidence of H. armigera damage on Bt maize plants was however significantly affected by Bt maize. Populations of B. fusca collected from smallholder maize fields in the province were observed to be still highly susceptible to Bt maize. Results of on-farm evaluation of the profitability of GM maize revealed that stem borer pressure, growing conditions, input supplies and market access affect the productivity and profitability of GM maize cultivation. Challenges within the extension and advisory services of the Eastern Cape which can militate against smallholder farmers‟ ability to benefit from GM maize technology and sustain the long-term efficacy of the technology were identified during this study. Given these challenges and the fact that the cultivation of GM maize may not be profitable under typical smallholder maize cultivation conditions and management practices, dissemination approaches that provide farmers the opportunity to evaluate GM maize technology alongside alternate technologies under their conditions, may prove beneficial

Evaluation of Eggplant, Solanum spp. Germplasm against Field Insect Pests’ Infestation at Bunso in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Eggplant (Solanum spp.) germplasm from CSIR – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Ghana were evaluated in field experiments against insect pests’ infestation during the major rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010. Twenty-six accessions were evaluated in 2009 and five were subjected to further evaluation in 2010. Insect species recorded on eggplant accessions in both years included Aphis gossypii (Glover), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) and Leucinodes orbonalis (Gueneé). Camponatus sp. (carpenter ants) was also collected in 2009.  In both 2009 and 2010, leaves of accession GH 5171 harbored significantly lower numbers of A. gossypii.  Leaves of accessions GH 1208 and GH 1113 also harbored the least number of T. tabaci in 2009 and 2010, respectively. T. tabaci preferred flowers to leaves of all eggplant accessions evaluated in 2010. The population dynamics of T. tabaci also fluctuated less on eggplant flowers than on the leaves. The percentage stems attacked by L. orbonalis were not significantly different among accessions in both years.  With respect to fruit infestation by L. orbonalis, although fruits of accessions GH 1208, GH 3944 and GH 3947 were significantly (P < 0.001) less susceptible to infestation in 2009 their yields were relatively low.  Yield obtained ranged from 0 kg/ha in accession GH 1202 (2009) to 837.86 kg/ha in accession GH 5183 (2010). Accessions GH 1113 and GH 5171 combined a relatively good yield with moderate levels of tolerance to all insect pest species identified in this experiment and are consequently recommended for crop improvement programs. Keywords: Accession, Aphis gossypii, eggplant, Leucinodes orbonalis, Thrips tabac

Response of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to preemergence application of Oxadiargyl and pendimethalin

Two field experiments were conducted in two agro-ecological zones of Ghana (Forest and Coastal Savannah) to assess the efficacy of preemergence herbicides Oxadiargyl and Pendimethalin on weed incidence, growth and yield of pepper. The experiment was factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were Oxadiargyl at 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 L/ha, Pendimethalin at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 L/ha and hand weeding at intervals of 3, 6 and 9 weeks as control. Data was collected on weed type and abundance, number of days to weed emergence, type of re-emerging weeds and percentage weed cover. Data on plant height, number of branches per plant, yield and yield components of pepper plants were also collected. Results indicated that application of Pendimethalin led to a significantly (p < 0.05) longer number of days to weed emergence as compared to the application of Oxadiargyl which also delayed weed emergence significantly longer than hand weeding. Plant height was not affected by weed control method. The yield of pepper plants was significantly higher in plots where Pendimethalin (2.0 L/ha) was applied. Generally, the yield components of pepper plants have been positively affected by weed control treatments. However, application of Pendimethalin at 2.0 L/ha resulted in better weed control

Basic Developmental Characteristics of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Reared under Laboratory Conditions

The life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from field-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. The incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. The mean larval lengths from the first to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. The mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. The mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. The total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. The mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. The life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. This study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making