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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 5

Publication Date: October 25, 2023

DOI:10.14738/aivp.115.15565

Konate, M. A., Amadou, L., Diallo, S., Dabo, H., Ndiaye, M., Diaby, M., Boukary, I. B., Teme, N., Kouressy, M., & Yaro, A. S. (2023).

Maize (Zea mays L.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Growers Knowledge, Perception and Management of S. frugiperda

(Smith 1974) Attacks in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Mali. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(5). 168-185.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Maize (Zea mays L.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Growers Knowledge, Perception and Management of S.

frugiperda (Smith 1974) Attacks in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of

Mali

Modibo Amadou Konate

Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et des Technologies

du Mali and Institut d’Economie Rurale

Laouali Amadou

Laboratoire d’Entomologie II de Maradi, Institut

National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, Maradi, Niger

Sory Diallo

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Hamara Dabo

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Mamadou Ndiaye

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Mahamadou Diaby

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Ibrahim Baoua Boukary

Faculty of Agronomy and Environmental Sciences,

Dan Dicko Dankoulodo University of Maradi, Maradi, Niger

Niaba Teme

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Mamoutou Kouressy

Institut d’Economie Rurale

Alpha Seydou Yaro

Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de l’Université des

Sciences, des Techniques et de Technologies de de Bamako, Mali,

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Konate, M. A., Amadou, L., Diallo, S., Dabo, H., Ndiaye, M., Diaby, M., Boukary, I. B., Teme, N., Kouressy, M., & Yaro, A. S. (2023). Maize (Zea mays

L.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Growers Knowledge, Perception and Management of S. frugiperda (Smith 1974) Attacks in the Sudano- Sahelian Zone of Mali. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(5). 168-185.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15565

ABSTRACT

Primary sector essentially dominates Malian economy which relies mainly on

cereal crops. Among these cereals, maize and sorghum play a key role in human and

animal nutrition. However, since 2017, in addition to other biotic and abiotic

hazards, these two crops have been subjected to a new pest infestation, the fall

armyworm (FAW). To determine growers' level of knowledge and perception of

FAW management practices, a survey was conducted in July 2021 in Ségou and

Koutiala, regions, in Mali. The survey involved 201 maize and sorghum growers.

Respondents were selected on the basis of whether they were maize or sorghum

growers. The Kobocollect application was used for data collection. Survey results

indicated that growers were aware of FAW pest four years ago in all surveyed

villages in 2021. The survey revealed that 94.5% of growers knew how to identify

FAW. For 34.2% of respondents, the FAW presents a great hazard to maize and

sorghum crops in fields. Respondents (99.7%) perceived FAW as an economically

detrimental hazard to the two crop yields. Results showed that 37.2% of

respondents used no pesticides FAW management. Chemical methods were used by

17.6% of growers, compared to 4.3% for traditional methods. Preliminary results

of this survey can be starting points to evaluate different biological control options

to determine the best agro-ecological methods for controlling FAW on maize

andsorghumcrops.

Keywords: perception, knowledge, growers, Sorghum, maize, S. frugiperda, Mali.

INTRODUCTION

For several decades, the agricultural world has been experiencing the climate change

phenomenon, characterized by rising temperature, rainfall fluctuation, and so on. These

variations cause many types of agricultural problems, including floods, droughts and the

outbreak or disappearance of certain insects that are natural enemies of crops (Boucetta,

2018). These variations have negative impacts on crop production and biodiversity. Recent

studies have showed that major crops production has declined since 1980 due to global

warming (Lobell et al., 2011). It is estimated that, under current global warming trends in sub- Saharan Africa, major cereals production could decline by up to 20% by mid-century (Schlenker

& Lobell, 2010). Malian climate change indicators for 2025 predict a decrease in rainfall

volumes and rates compared to normal from 2% to 6% and an increase in temperature level of

1°C compared to the standard (Sissoko et al., 2018).

Mali’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, which accounts for 33% of its gross domestic

product (GDP) and employs nearly 80% of its population. Crop production is largely based on

irrigated (rice) and dryland (millet, sorghum, corn, upland rice, etc.) cereals. Mali faces the

constant challenge of feeding an ever-growing population estimated at 20 million (Kanambaye

et al., 2022).

In Mali, maize production levels are rising sharply, with an average annual growth rate of 15%

recorded between 2005 and 2012 (FAO, 2014). Maize is particularly cultivated in cotton- growing areas, being used as a rotation crop (Sikasso region and southern regions of Koulikoro

and Kayes). Maize occupies a central position in achieving food security strategy, notably with

the implementation of Maize Initiative in 2009-2010. In 2019, Mali produced 3,816,536 tons of

maize on an area of 1,432,151 hectares (FAO, 2020). Maize average annual yield evolved from