The Status of Insect Pests of Potato Grown in Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2024-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) can significantly contribute to food security improvement by increasing food availability and cash income of smallholder farmers. Ensuring the sustainable production of potatoes is an important challenge facing agriculture globally. Insect pests are major biotic constraints affecting potato yields and tuber quality. The current study was conducted to determine major insect pests and their management options on potato grown in Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia. A survey was undertaken in Hadiya Zone in two potential potato growing districts: East and West Badewacho districts. Data on the status of insect pest under field and storage conditions were collected through observations and interview. Field observation was made near potato harvesting time, while observation under storage condition was done in the middle and near the next planting season. Forty-eight respondents (36 farmers, 6 merchants and 6 Development Agents) from both study districts were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The present result indicated that most of the fields were infested by potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella). Among these pests, potato tuber moth and cutworm(Agrotis ipsilon) were identified as major pests and caused high and moderate infestations respectively. Others were identified as minor pests of potato with low infestations. Potato tuber moth was found as the key pest in storage condition as compared to previous years . Currently, cutworm and aphid (Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii) were more damaging insect pest of potato in field condition than previous infestation, and potato tuber worm was more damaging insect pest in storage. Insecticide spray is the most favorable pest control method among the potato growers. Surprisingly, most of the farmers only apply pesticides to control the pests infesting field. It can be understood that people are still unaware of the risk hazard of chemical application. So, it is necessary that the proper awareness program and planning should be given by the government ..
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Keywords
Field Survey, Knowledge Gap, Phthorimaea Operculella, Potatoes, Storage