A sustainable method for small-scale farmers to protect cabbage crops in african urban areas

Screen tunnels over vegetables, used only at night, are well adapted for pest management in tropical urban areas because they are "easy to use" they improve the quality of production and reduce unsustainable insecticide practices of small-scale farmers. This technique was focused on cabbage crops for three years in Cotonou, Benin. Trials were performed in research station and in urban areas with local farmers. In this study, the biological efficacy, environmental impact, and economic factors of this technique were compared with the usual practices of small-scale farmers. The following results have been confirmed: 1) A tunnel screen used only at night physically protects cabbage against the Diamondback moth, #Plutella xylostella#, and the borer, #Hellula undalis#; 2) The screen is not efficient against the armyworm, #Spodoptera littoralis#, which lays eggs on the screen; 3) The screen impregnated with deltamethrin is effective in protecting cabbages against the aphid, #Lipaphis erysimi#; 4) The yield and quality of cabbage obtained using this technique can double the profits of the farmer; 5) The environmental benefit is due to a reduction of insecticide sprays and so pesticide residues in vegetables and the soil. The cost of chemicals typically used by farmers is, on average, US$45/100 m² for one crop cycle. This is nearly double the cost of the tunnel screen materials, which are available in local markets for about US$24/100 m² for one crop cycle (due to the fact that this material can be used for 10 crop cycles). The investment in material, a major constraint for small-scale farmers, can be done progressively plot by plot. (Texte intégral)

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Martin, Thibaud, Assogba Komlan, Françoise, Licciardi, Séverine, Sidick, I., Hougard, Jean-Marc, Chandre, Fabrice
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	fre
Published:	s.n.
Subjects:	H10 - Ravageurs des plantes,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/558886/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/558886/1/document_558886.pdf
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