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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #354438
Research Project: Improved Environmental and Crop Safety by Modification of the Aspergillus flavus Population Structure

Location: Pest Management and Biocontrol Research

Title: Identifying and managing plant health risks for key African crops: maize

Author
item BANDYOPADHYAY, RANJIT - International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
item CARDWELL, KITTY - Oklahoma State University
item ORTEGA-BELTRAN, ALEJANDRO - International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
item SCHULTHESS, FRITZ - International Centre Of Insect Physiology And Ecology
item Meikle, William
item SETMOU, MAMOUDOU - Texas A&M University
item Cotty, Peter

Submitted to: Agricultural Sciences
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: There are several important diseases of corn that cause reductions in food security in Africa. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has carried out research to address losses caused by these diseases since the establishment of this institute over fifty years ago. This chapter outlines the advances in the pathology and management of corn diseases made at IITA during the course of the first fifty years of effort at its main campus in Ibadan, Nigeria. One prominent aspect has been development of biological control to reduce aflatoxin contamination and improve human health. USDA-ARS played a prominent role in collaborating with IITA in adoption of the technology to Africa and there are now registered biocontrol products in several countries. During it’s first fifty years of existence,IITA has proven its value as a research enterprise dedicated to the solution of real world problems in Africa and USDA-ARS has gained insight into management of plant pest problems that might be applicable to North American agriculture during ARS interactions with IITA. Dates of Research: June 1994 to June 2017.

Technical Abstract: A range of insect pests and diseases compromise the quantity, quality and safety of maize negatively 10 impacting on food security, income generation and health of African people. This chapter highlights 11 work conducted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on key insect pests and 12 fungal diseases of maize with the aim of reducing their burden on African agriculture. At first, 13 diagnostic research identified key insect pests and diseases. As invasive pests and diseases such as 14 downy mildew and larger grain borer appeared, appropriate technologies to manage them were 15 developed. Post-harvest losses have received considerable attention. Integrated pest management 16 options were generated for stem borers. Concerted efforts on aflatoxin led to seminal studies on its 17 impact on child health and development and scaling out of a biocontrol solution is in progress. With 18 the recent introduction of fall army worm, a large amount of work has been initiated for its control.