Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T09:38:07.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Pests, pesticides, pesticide legislation and management in Mauritius

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

I. Fagoonee
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
Get access

Abstract

This paper considers the status of pests and pesticides in Mauritius, including pesticide legislation and flow.

Climatic factors, namely altitude, temperature and rainfall, influence the spatial and seasonal distribution and population dynamics of economically important pests as well as their hosts (crops and livestock). The case histories of a few selected pests (leaf miner, fruit flies, stable flies), their control measures as well as research efforts in this connection are reviewed.

An appraisal is also made on some aspects of pesticide legislation along with the distribution pattern of pesticides, in relation to pesticide management. The setting up of a recent Pesticides Management Advisory Committee is regarded as a move in the right direction to safeguard pesticide misuse and abuse. Food crop production is at the expense of huge pesticides input. A series of recommendations are made with a view to improving pesticide practices in the country.

Résumé

L'auteur fait état de la situation à Murice des ravageurs agricoles et des pesticides, y compris la législation et la distribution des pesticides. La répartition dans le temps et dans l'espace et la dynamique des populations des espèces économiquement nuisibles ainsi que leur hôtes (végétaux et animaux domestiques) sont fonction des conditions climatiques tels que l'altitude, la température et la pluviosité. Des cas spécifiques dont la mineuse des feuilles Liriomyza trifolii, les mouches des fruits et les mouches d'étables (Stomoxys spp.), sont considérés tant sur le plan de leur répartition insectes-hôtes que sur le plan des efforts de recherches entreprises en vue de leur contrôle. Quelques aspects de la législation et de la gestion sont soulevés en relation avec le découlement des pesticides sur le marché. Un comité a récemment été mis sur pied afin de permettre une rationalisation de l'utilisation des pesticides. D'après des données recueillies sur l'importation des pesticides et la production maraîchère, il ressort que celle ci se fait aux dépens d'une utilisation intensive des pesticides chimiques. Des recommendations sont faites afin d'améliorer la pratique courante de l'utilisation de ces produits toxiques.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Anonymous (1979, 1980) Annual reports of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment 1979 and 1980. Mauritius.Google Scholar
Fagoonee, I. (1980) The potential of natural products in crop protection in Mauritius. In Proceedings, National Agricultural Production Conference, 10–15 December 1979 (Edited by Peerally, A. P., Fagoonee, I. and Unmole, H.), pp. 201217. University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius.Google Scholar
Fagoonee, I. (1984) Pertinent aspects of pesticide usage in Mauritius. Insect Sci applic. 5, 203212.Google Scholar
Kunz, S. E. and Monty, J. (1976) Biology and ecology of Stomoxys nigra Macquart and Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera, Muscidae) in Mauritius. Bull. ent. Res. 66, 745755.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Monty, J. (1972) A review of the stablefly problem in Mauritius. Rev. agric. sucr. He Maurice 51, 1329.Google Scholar
Monty, J. (1973) Rearing the Natal fruitfly Ceratitis (Pterandus) rosa (Diptera, Trypetidae) in the laboratory. Rev. agric. sucr. He Maurice 52, 133135.Google Scholar
Monty, J. (1978) The coconut palm rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L. (Col. Dynastidae) in Mauritius and its control. Rev. agric. sucr. lie Maurice 57, 6076.Google Scholar
Orian, A. J. E. and Moutia, L. A. (1960) Fruitflies (Trypetidae) of economic importance in Mauritius. Rev. agric. sucr. He Maurice 39, 142150.Google Scholar
Parrella, M. P., Allen, W. W. A. and Morishita, P. (1981) Leafminer species cause California mumgrowers new problems. California Agric. 35, 2830.Google Scholar
Vercambre, B. (1980) Etudes realisées à la Réunion sur la mouche maraichère: Liriomyza trifolii Burgess. Rev. agric. sucr. He Maurice 59, 147157.Google Scholar