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Agroecological distribution of major stalk borers of maize in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

S. H. O. Okech
Affiliation:
Mount Makulu Central Research Station Private Bag 7, Chilanga
L. M. N. R. Neukermans
Affiliation:
Mount Makulu Central Research Station Private Bag 7, Chilanga
K. C. Chinsembu
Affiliation:
Mount Makulu Central Research Station Private Bag 7, Chilanga
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Abstract

Surveys were conducted in farmers' fields in Zambia during the 1987/88, 1988/89 and 1989/90 cropping seasons, to evaluate the extent of attack on maize by stalk borers and their distribution in some selected maize growing areas in three agroecological regions. Infestation levels varied from season to season. Infestations were low (0.5–13%) in the Southern province: Gwembe Valley and Livingstone in region I and Choma and Kalomo in region II. Infestation levels in other areas ranged from 21–75%. Three species of stalk borers, Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus and Sesamia calamistis were recorded. Their composition and proportion in the complex differed from place to place. C. partellus occurred at an altitude range of 350–1170m, B. fusca occurred at 1032 to >1300m above sea level. B. fusca was the most widely distributed and predominant.

Résumé

A fin d'évaluer l'importance d'attaque des foreurs de tige de maïs et leur distribution dans certains champs de maïs dans 3 zones agro-écologiques, des enquêtes ont été menées dans les champs des fermiers Zambiens pendant les saisons de culture 1987/88, 1988/89 et 1989/90. Les niveaux d'infestation étaient trés bas et variés d'une saison à l'autre (0,5–13%) dans la région I (la vallée de Gwembe et Livingstone) et dans la région II (Choma et Kalomo), province du sud. D'autres régions avaient un niveau d'infestation qui se situait entre 21–75%. Les 3 espéces deforeur de tige observées étaient Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus et Sesamia calamistis. Leur composition et leur nombre variés d'une place à l'autre. C. partellus était présent àune altitude se situant entre 350–1170m alors que B. fusca etait observe entre 1032m à plus de 1300m d'altitude au dessus du niveau de la mer. B. fusca était le plus répandu et le plus dominant.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1994

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References

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