Lawrence Malinga

Small-scale sugarcane growers (SSGs) in South Africa face persistent challenges in improving crop quality and profitability, largely due to limited access to knowledge, resources, and appropriate technologies. This study assessed the knowledge, acceptance, and economic potential of chemical ripening as a strategy to enhance sugarcane quality among SSGs in Umthwalume, KwaZulu-Natal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using purposive sampling, and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 65 growers from the Bhekisisa Cooperative to capture demographic data, farming practices, training, yield history, and perceptions of chemical ripeners and farmer field schools. Results revealed that although only 35.4% of participants were aware of chemical ripening, a significant majority (87.3%) expressed willingness to adopt the practice if it were accessible. Major barriers included cost, lack of technical know-how, and field fragmentation. However, the use of drone technology demonstrated practical feasibility and yielded increased income ranging from R3,514 to R11,929 per hectare in demonstration trials. Furthermore, while 66.2% of growers were unaware of farmer field schools, nearly all (97.6%) expressed interest in participating. These findings underscore the importance of targeted training, on-farm demonstrations, and supportive extension services in promoting the adoption of sugarcane quality-enhancement practices in the small-scale sector. The study recommends strengthening extension services through farmer field schools and on-farm demonstrations, coupled with expanded access to drone-based application services and targeted training, to improve the adoption of chemical ripening and enhance sugarcane quality and profitability among small-scale growers.

Eldana saccharina Walker is a major sugarcane pest in South Africa, primarily controlled with chemical insecticides, though resistance threatens their effectiveness. Laboratory bioassays at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute evaluated the baseline susceptibility of E. saccharina to six concentrations of Coragen^® (chlorantraniliprole). Mortality and larval weight data were analysed using probit analysis to determine LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ values and assess growth inhibition. Mortality and weight reduction increased with concentration, with the highest concentration causing 79% mortality.

The African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a significant pest that affects cereal crops and pasture grasses in sub-Saharan Africa. This migratory pest causes extensive defoliation, which can result in significant yield losses, particularly in maize. This review focuses on the recent outbreaks of the African armyworm and identifies key factors contributing to its success across sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective and sustainable pest management strategies. This review emphasizes the importance of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches in managing pest outbreaks and underscores the need to implement technology-enabled integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to control the African armyworm effectively.

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and, ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps, are highlighted.

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and, ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps, are highlighted.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an essential fibre crop cultivated worldwide for centuries. The crop is a cash crop that is grown as raw material for textile industries in over 80 countries with tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, cotton is a key export crop for global cotton lint exports. In South Africa, cotton is mostly grown by smallholder farmers in five provinces. However, several factors affect production, including low yields, high input costs and pest and weed infestations. The incidence of pests is a significant influence that affects cotton production, resulting in low yields and poor quality. The importance of cotton insect pests lies in their ability to cause significant economic losses by damaging cotton crops. Some are serious pests that require control measures such as synthetic pesticides to warrant a viable yield. A successful control strategy requires integrated pest management that prevents or suppresses damaging populations of insect pests by applying the comprehensive and coordinated integration of multiple and compatible control tactics, including chemical, cultural and biological methodologies. The lifecycles of insect pests can vary depending on factors such as environmental conditions, host availability and pest species. Understanding these lifecycles is crucial for implementing effective pest management strategies at different stages of development to minimize their impact on cotton crops. This paper seeks to review and examine the lifecycle, hosts and importance of Helicoverpa armigera, Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, Thrips tabaci, Jacobiella facialis, Tetranychus urticae and Dysdercus species as major key insect pests in cotton production. APA-7 Style Malinga, L.N., Laing, M. (2024). Lifecycle, Hosts and Importance of Some of the Major Cotton Insect Pests in South Africa: A Review. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 17(4), 624-639. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2024.624.639 ACS Style Malinga, L.N.; Laing, M. Lifecycle, Hosts and Importance of Some of the Major Cotton Insect Pests in South Africa: A Review. Asian J. Biol. Sci 2024, 17, 624-639. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2024.624.639 AMA Style Malinga LN, Laing M. Lifecycle, Hosts and Importance of Some of the Major Cotton Insect Pests in South Africa: A Review. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences. 2024; 17(4): 624-639. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2024.624.639 Chicago/Turabian Style Malinga, Lawrence, Nkosikhona, and Mark Laing. 2024. "Lifecycle, Hosts and Importance of Some of the Major Cotton Insect Pests in South Africa: A Review" Asian Journal of Biological Sciences 17, no. 4: 624-639. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2024.624.639

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and, ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps, are highlighted.

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and, ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps, are highlighted.

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of pest species. Due to their target-specificity and low to no environmental residuality, biopesticides conform to the 3 pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and ultimately, the Paris Agreement. This review focuses largely on microbial biopesticides derived from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. It discusses (i) the various microbial biopesticide formulations, (ii) the mode of microbial biopesticide action, (iii) the factors that affect the potential efficacy of biopesticides, (iv) challenges to the adoption of microbial biopesticides, and (v) the role of microbial biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management programs. Finally, advancements in application techniques, as well as future research directions and gaps are highlighted.