Authors: Khan, Zeyaur; Midega, Charles; Pittchar, Jimmy; Pickett, John; Bruce, Toby

Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, Sustainable intensification: increasing productivity in African food and agricultural systems , pp. 162-170(9)

Publisher: Earthscan

Abstract:

Push-pull technology (www.push-pull.net) is based on a novel cropping system developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Rothamsted Research (UK) and national partners for integrated pest, weed and soil management in cereal-livestock farming systems. Stemborers are attracted to Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), a trap plant (pull), and are repelled from the main cereal crop using a repellent legume intercrop (push), desmodium (Desmodium spp.). Desmodium root exudates effectively control the parasitic striga weed by causing abortive germination. Desmodium also improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, natural mulching, improved biomass and control of erosion. Both companion plants provide high value animal fodder, facilitating milk production and diversifying farmers' income sources. The technology is appropriate to smallholder mixed cropping systems in Africa. It effectively addresses major production constraints, increases maize yields from below 1 to 3.5t/ha, and is economical as it is based on locally available plants, not expensive external inputs. Adopted by over 30,000 farmers to date in East Africa, key factors in its further up-scaling include effective technology dissemination, adaptability of companion plants for climate resilience, capacity building and multi-stakeholder collaboration, integration with livestock husbandry, improvement in input accessibility and creation of a supportive policy framework.

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Keywords: cereal-livestock integration; conservation agriculture; integrated pest and soil management; push-pull; soil fertility; stemborers; striga weed

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3763/ijas.2010.0558

Publication date: 2011-02-01

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• Editor in Chief: Jules Pretty OBE, University of Essex, UK

  The International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (IJAS) is a cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of sustainability in agricultural and food systems.

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