Indigenous knowledge practices for production and management of spider mites and anthracnose in smallholder French bean farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya
Abstract
184 words
A field survey was conducted to inventory the major crops grown, French bean production
constraints, pests and diseases and indigenous control strategies. A total of 56 smallholder
French bean farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Results showed
that land ownership (82.2%) and household headship (66.1 %) were male dominated. The
major crops grown were maize (31.6%), French bean (26.2%) and tomatoes (18.5%).
Whiteflies, aphids, spider mites and thrips were identified as the major insect and mite pests
whereas the major diseases were anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf rusts, bacterial blight
and black rots. Most farmers used synthetic pesticides for the control of spider mites (98.2%),
anthracnose (96.4%) and aphids (69.6%) compared to 5.4% using botanical pesticides against
same pests and disease. Aqueous leaf extracts of tobacco and Mexican marigold were the
common botanical pesticides used against insects and spider mites. Majority (96.4%) of
farmers expressed willingness to adopt a rationalised use of botanical pesticides for
management of pests and diseases. The findings of this study are discussed in the context of
their relevance to better insect pest and disease management for improved French bean
production.
Subjects
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