South Asian Research Publishing Organization (SARPO)

Wakjira Getachew1, Merga Jibat2, Habtewold Kifelew3

1Crop Protection, Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia
2Crop Protection, Teppi Agricultural Research Center, Teppi, Ethiopia
3Crop Protection, Holeta Agricultural Research Center, Holeta, Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Insects are the most diverse species of animals living on earth. Insects are undoubtedly the most adaptable form of life as their total numbers far exceed that of any other animal category (Mohamed and Sallam, 2011). The majority of insects are directly important to humans and the environment. For example, several insect species are predators or parasitoids of other harmful pests; others are pollinators, decomposers of organic matter, or producers of valuable products such as honey or silk.

Some can be used to produce pharmacologically active compounds such as venoms or antibodies. Less than 0.5 percent of the total number of known insect species are considered pests, and only a few of these can be a serious menace to people. Insect pests inflict damage on humans, farm animals, and crops. Subsistence cash crop production is essential for the growing population of Africa.

In Ethiopia highland seed spices are produced in different areas. But till now detailed assessments of insect pests are not undertaken in different parts of the country. So, the objective of this study was to identify major insect pests of seed spices and know their distribution across the country.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study site and materials

The study was conducted at different locations namely; Shirka, Hela Zembaba, Birbof Chole, Hela Tereta, Akaki, Chafe Donsa, Bishoftu, Goro, Ginir, Gololcha, Sirinka, Takusa, Chefa, Dembia, and Wolkite from 2016 to 2018. The quadrant to sample the spice population, sample bag to collect the unidentified pest, and refrigerator to keep the specimen were used during the survey.

Insect identification

A survey for the insect pest of major seed species of Ethiopia was conducted from October 2016 to November 2016 and October 2018 to November 2018 for two years. Potential seed spices-producing regions of Ethiopia (Oromia, Amhara, and SNNPRS) were surveyed for the occurrence of the insect pests. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to sample regions, woredas, and zones.

Each woreda survey field was selected from the farmer’s field. From each zone, six small-scale producers were selected after getting the name of the producers and size of production data from the Bureau of Agriculture (BOA) and applying a random sampling technique to sample the field. From each field, a bunch was sampled randomly by using “X” path, when the plantation was sole and followed standard recommended cultivation. Each stand was divided into three strata (near the ground level, at the middle, and at the top) to sample the leaves. From each stratum, four leaves were selected.

Totally 12 leaves were sampled from each stand to record the severity and incidence of insect damage around the pest foci, in order to collect the insect at any of its growth stages (larva, pupa, or adult). Infected spices were diagnosed for characteristic internal and/or external symptoms of the pest attack and the incidence and severity of the damages it caused was recorded. Besides, information related to the history of the field, such as the type of crops and/or cultivars grown, planting year (estimated age), types of cultural practices, and previous cropping system of the field was recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the survey result, we observed that many insects affect seed spices and contribute to yield losses occurring in the field. Oromia, Amhara, and South Nations Nationalities and People Regions were surveyed and the following results were obtained in the following table. This study is in line with Gopa L.

For instance, pod borer, aphids, and leaf minor were the serious insects observed in all areas in addition to skeletonizer. From the table below we understand that pod borer, aphids, and cutworms were the major insect pests challenging the production of black cumin and fenugreek spices in the area.

CONCLUSION

On black cumin pod borer and aphid were found the common insect pests as the main production limiting factor and on coriander and fenugreek aphids were found the common insect pests as the main production limiting

factor. The results obtained may assist in developing an integrated control program for this insect pest identified. More detailed investigations should be carried out on the biology of insect pests. In the future, integrated pest management should be designed to manage these economically important insect pests.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author thanks Teppi Agricultural Research Center and Spice Program for providing all the necessary facilities and support. My sincere thanks go to Marga Jibat and Awoke Mengistu for their assistance during data collection and to regional and federal research centers for their collaboration.

REFERENCES

Gopal L. Scenario, Importance, and Prospects of Seed Spices: A Review. Curr Inves Agri Curr Res. 2018, 4(2), 181-186. DOI: 10.32474/CIACR.2018.04.000181

Emma Christensen. Quick Guide to Every Herb and Spice in the Cupboard. Mercer salary surveys. 2014 Mohamed N.; Sallam. Chapter II Insect Damage: Damage on Post-harvest. Post-harvest Operations – Post-harvest Compendium. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) (http://www.icipe.org/). 2011

Table 1. The average insects observed during the survey on different spices at different locations.