Scientific papers Archives - Page 4 of 5

Perennial legume intercrops provide multiple belowground ecosystem

February 9, 2024

Soil degradation is a major underlying cause of poverty and malnutrition in smallholder agrarian communities across the globe. Legume diversification, through polyculture or intercropping, is a strategy that increases yields and income while improving family nutrition. However, the potential for these legume-cereal intercrops to restore soil functions in smallholder fields remains uncertain, with many studies failing to detect increases in soil organic matter.

Push-Pull in practice

Sustainable intensification of vegetable production using the cereal ‘push-pull technology’ benefits and one health implications

February 9, 2024

The adoption of sustainable agriculture practices has become critical in the face of rising global difficulties related to achieving food security, combating malnutrition, and mitigating environmental degradation. Within this context, the ‘One Health’ (OH) paradigm emerges as a comprehensive approach encompassing human, plant, animal, and environmental health for planetary well-being. Recognizing the complex interdependencies inherent in global health concerns, this approach emphasizes the importance of integrated and synergistic interventions. This is especially true in agriculture, where an overreliance on synthetic inputs to meet the rising demands of an expanding human population has resulted in serious environmental degradation and devastating loss of biodiversity and their valuable ecosystem services. In response, the development and implementation of agroecological farming systems have gained prominence.

Agricultural production system

Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

February 9, 2024

Push-pull technology provides farmers in East Africa with an eco-friendly strategy that increases crop yield and household income in smallholder cereal systems by controlling pests and improving soil health. Though promising for a sustainably intensified production, push-pull has been used at a limited scale, primarily in maize and sorghum-based production systems.

Agricultural production system • Push-Pull in practice

Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push‑Pull Technology (PPT)

December 14, 2023

PPT originated in East Africa and is being continuously improved through cycles of interdisciplinary and participatory experimentation. Despite well-documented benefits to farmers and the environment, more institutional support from agricultural extension systems (AES) is needed for PPT to realise significant impact on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability.

Farming practice • Pest/disease control • Push-Pull in practice

Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids

December 14, 2023

Our data provide evidence of the mechanisms underpinning reduced S. frugiperda infestation in the Push-Pull companion cropping system, i.e., volatiles from companion crops repel S. frugiperda while attracting its parasitoid natural enemies. These findings explain why Push-Pull field plots had fewer S. frugiperda larvae and lower crop damage than monocropped maize.

Push-Pull in practice

Combining Milpa and Push‑Pull Technology for sustainable food production in smallholder agriculture. A review

December 14, 2023

The pre-Columbian milpa system of intercropping maize with companion crops such as beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and squash (Cucurbita spp.) is one effective system that has been shown to produce outstanding yields per unit area compared to monoculture systems.

Pest/disease control

The push-pull intercrop Desmodium does not repel, but intercepts and kills pests

December 14, 2023

Push-pull aims to reduce the abundance of insect pests in crops through repelling the pest in the crop, while simultaneously providing attractive sources to trap the pest out (formalized by Miller and Cowles). Using this ‘stimulo-deterrent diversion’ principle, a push-pull strategy was devised to combat Lepidopteran pests in sub-Saharan smallholder maize farming.

Pest/disease control

The effect of Brachiaria rows on stem borer damage on sorghum in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

December 14, 2023

The lepidopteron stemborer (Chilo partellus) and parasitic Striga weed (Striga hermonthica) caused major yield losses in subsistence sorghum production in the Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia. This study evaluated different number of Brachiaria (Mulato II) rows planted around sorghum plots.

Agricultural production system • Pest/disease control

Effect of Rabbit Urine on the Larval Behavior, Larval Mortality, Egg Hatchability, Adult Emergence and Oviposition Preference of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith)

December 14, 2023

The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) is a major cereal pest threatening food security in Africa. African smallholder farmers apply various indigenous pest management practices, including rabbit urine; however, there is no scientific evidence for its efficacy.

Pest/disease control

Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping

January 27, 2023

Production of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened by a new invasive pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To mitigate this threat, push–pull companion cropping, a system originally developed for management of lepidopteran stemborers, may be used to control FAW.

UPSCALE Follow

#H2020 • Upscaling the benefits of push-pull technology for sustainable agricultural intensification in East Africa. Account managed by @InoSens_rs

UPSCALE @upscale_h2020 ·

30 Jun

Can PPT Help Farmers Adapt to Climate Change?

Yes! It helps with climate adaptation:
Desmodium enriches the soil and suppresses weeds.
The PPT improves soil moisture retention.
Trap crops provide livestock fodder, diversifying farm benefits and income.

https://upscale-hub.eu/

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UPSCALE @upscale_h2020 ·

19 Jun

🌽 Our coordinator, Emily Poppenborg, joined the panel discussion during the event on the agroecological transition of food systems in Africa. The event focused on agroecological innovation and sustainable farming pathways for Africa. 🌿

▶️ Watch here:

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Perennial legume intercrops provide multiple belowground ecosystem

Sustainable intensification of vegetable production using the cereal ‘push-pull technology’ benefits and one health implications

Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push‑Pull Technology (PPT)

Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids

Combining Milpa and Push‑Pull Technology for sustainable food production in smallholder agriculture. A review

The push-pull intercrop Desmodium does not repel, but intercepts and kills pests

The effect of Brachiaria rows on stem borer damage on sorghum in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Effect of Rabbit Urine on the Larval Behavior, Larval Mortality, Egg Hatchability, Adult Emergence and Oviposition Preference of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith)

Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping

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