Rationale: Necessary steps towards the large-scale implementation of LUBILOSA findings. The strategies for incorporation of Metarhizium into on-going operational acridid IPM activities became clearer as phase 3 progressed. The longer term strategies and the specific associated activities are described in the LUBILOSA implementation plan, the strategy paper Lomer et al (9) and in the Phase 4 proposal. For the sake of uniformity with phase 3 reporting format, we continue to report under existing headings in this section. Section 5.C, development of IPM Pilot Sites has been restructured in accord with emerging realities on the ground
5.A: Mycoinsecticides in CILSS IPM strategy: LUBILOSA associated programmes
Rationale: National capabilities to use mycopesticides in IPM schemes for the control of desert locusts and grasshoppers; engage stakeholders; expand awareness of biocontrol option to PV, extension services, farmers and NGOs.
5.A.2: Gambia
Farmer participatory trials were conducted in 1998 using EC formulations, total area treated was 30 ha.
5.A.3: Mali
Activities in 1998 focussed in three main areas; near Mourdiah (north of Bamako), near Douenza (with the participation of two NGOs; Strømme foundation and Church of Norway), and with PA/MP/AD (formerly SECAMA) near Mopti (Douro-Kpindou IN PREP (9)). Activities in Mali demonstrate the continued interest of these two NGOs in using Green Muscle. Journées de reflexion were conducted in Bamako and Mopti.
See also section 5.C.3.
5.A.4: Senegal
Demonstration and training trials were conducted by senior PV agents in all six departments of Senegal; 36 people were trained (‘training of trainers’).
5.A.5: Mauritania
See section 2.C.
5.B: Experimental verification of IPM components
Rationale: No single control technology can solve a pest problem. Accordingly, the way other control technologies interact with the use of Metarhizium are explored under this heading.
Trials were conducted on the destruction of egg pods by PA/MP/AD. Some 10 tonnes of egg pods were collected in exchange for sacks of millet. The population effect was transient, as egg collection was confined to farmers’ fields. Too much effort was involved in digging outside the cultivated areas, where most egg pods are to be found. Destruction of egg pods has not been found to be an economically viable control technology.
Samples were collected in the Mourdiah region to ascertain the impact of massive releases of the exotic microbial control agent Nosema locustae in 1988 under a USAID programme. Another protozoan of interest is Johenrea locustae from Madagascar. This protozoan might be effective as a classical biological control agent, complementary in action to Metarhizium.
Distribution of cadavers was not found to be a feasible technique, as the impact is too slow.
The data collected during ecotoxicology trials in Niger will be useful in determining the eventual role of chemical insecticides in an IPM strategy. Current LUBILOSA thinking on IPM strategies, and how Metarhizium would be incorporated into on-going control operations, are contained in the draft MS Lomer et al. (9).
5.C: Mycoinsecticide in farmer participatory trials: development of IPM pilot sites
Rationale: IPM pilot sites are the means by which the LUBILOSA technology is field tested in a fully participatory context, and the eventual full implementation pathway tested. The overall philosophy is that LUBILOSA staff are involved for two seasons, during which spores are provided free of charge. Subsequently, clients must find means to purchase the spores. Through a combination of participatory trials, socio-economic studies and discussions with national programmes, a development strategy for the implementation of Metarhizium at pilot sites is emerging. This section of the report has been restructured around the developments on the ground in this area.
5.C.1: Variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus ZVA
The variegated grasshopper, in addition to cassava, attacks a range of high-value crops, such as vegetables, coffee, pineapple, cotton. It is likely that a viable market for Green Muscle 609 will emerge in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Participatory demonstration trials were conducted in Ghana on a scale of 30 ha. Barrier treatments were tested for the first time, and this reduced treatment time to 10min/ha (Douro-Kpindou IN PREP (9)). Trials in Côte d'Ivoire are planned.
Studies conducted by D. Müller as part of an SDC training project, have indicated an implementation route to supply Metarhizium to village groups in the Mono province of southern Benin (Müller and De Groote, 1998 (4)) (see also section 6.B). Farmers favoured early treatment, applying 20g /ha.
Dose trials showed that even 2g/ha still gave adequate mortality.
A journée de reflexion was held at Lokossa, Mono province, Benin on 3/6/97.
Although it is clear that isolate I91-609 is much more virulent to variegated grasshopper than IMI 330189, the private companies prefer to concentrate on the locust and Sahelian grasshopper market with IMI 330189.
5.C.2: Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis OSE
Niger is the country most affected by Senegalese grasshopper, and is the country with which LUBILOSA has the longest-standing and closest relationship. Of necessity for a highly mobile pest, control operations are the responsibility of the government, enacted through the Plant Protection Service (PV). Development of a co-ordinated IPM strategy incorporating Metarhizium is one of the key elements of LUBILOSA phase 4. Re-orientation of government and donor policies will be a major task, and a prerequisite for the large-scale implementation of bio-intensive IPM in Niger.
Some NGOs are active in Niger, and in the Zinder region, BIT (ILO) supported the application of Metarhizium on 150 ha. Similarly, in Tahoua, local NGOs were involved in the application of Metarhizium against Rice grasshopper attacking sorghum.
Journées de reflexion were held in Maradi and Niamey in 1997, and training of trainers in Maradi and Dosso (13 and 14 people, total 27 respectively) on 11 and 19 November 1997. A further 19 PV agents and 53 village extension agents were trained in March 1998.
5.C.3: Less mobile Sahelian grasshoppers
A complex of less mobile Sahelian grasshoppers including Kraussella amabile, Hieroglyphus daganensis, Diabolocatantops axillaris and Cataloipus fuscocoeruleipes also affects crops in the Sahel. For the control of these species, farmer and NGO involvement is much more feasible than for Senegalese grasshopper. Furthermore, the role of PVs in crop protection in the Sahel is declining, and several externally funded NGOs are active in integrated rural development schemes. This socio-economic environment is particularly suitable for the development of integrated grasshopper management schemes having Metarhizium as a major component. This implementation route is being explored in Mali and Chad.
In Mali, collaboration with the NGO SECAMA/Misereor/PA/MP/AD in the Mopti region continues. We expect PA/MP/AD to purchase spores in 1999. In Douenza region, a new collaboration has been initiated with the Strømme foundation and the Church of Norway.
In Chad, participatory trials were conducted in five villages, involving the NGOs SAILD, PSANG, ONDR/PSAP, World Vision and SECADEV. A journée de reflexion organised in December 1997 was very well attended (including the Minister for Agriculture) and reported on Chad television. This was followed up with a training of trainers in Ndjamena, 6 – 8/1/98, attended by 35 people.
In northern Benin, a journée de reflexion was held in Kandi 8 – 9/7/97, followed by training of trainers in Malanville (24 people for six days). This was again followed up with training of brigade members and farmers (16 people) in Bali (Malanville) and Birni Laffia and Kargui (Karimama).
5.C.4: South Africa; Brown Locust, Locustana pardalina, LPA
Locustana pardalina (Walker) has its outbreak area in the semi-arid Karoo area of South Africa and southern Namibia. This locust has the highest outbreak frequency of any of the world's locusts and there have only been 5 years in the past 50 when no control campaign was mounted in the Karoo. Before the 1940s, when effective control measures (organochlorine BHC) became available, Brown Locust swarms used to regularly escape from the Karoo recession area and threaten food security in nine southern African countries up to the Zambezi river. The locust is a certified pest in South Africa, and control operations are organised by the government.
The current control strategy is to control outbreaks within the Karoo before swarms can migrate to the grain producing areas in the Free State and North West Province and in the neighbouring countries. Although locusts do damage the grazing in the Karoo and compete with sheep for fodder to some extent, the main aim is to keep swarms out of the cropping areas and in this regard the South African locust control organisation has been very successful. Locust targets are controlled by spot application of synthetic pyrethroid insecticide (Deltamethrin UL) to roosting hopper bands and fledgling swarms. However, the repeated application of broad-spectrum insecticides in the unique Karoo biome is being increasingly questioned by conservationists and landholders.
LUBILOSA partner company BCP (Biological Control Products) has invested in Metarhizium production capacity, and has submitted a registration dossier to the South African authorities. The development of an integrated strategy for Brown locust control will rely on an evaluation of the environmental value of conservation areas, and the damage by chemical pesticides. GIS will be needed to evaluate the appropriate times and places for Metarhizium use, compared with other areas where faster-acting chemicals may be appropriate.
5.C.5: Desert locust
Implementation of Desert locust IPM will be pursued through the FAO EMPRES programme. See 7.D.