An armyworm invaded farm. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
ICIPE has announced that it has found a solution to armyworm invasion that wrecked havoc in many maize farms in the country.
In a press release released on Tuesday, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology said it had discovered an innovation called 'push-pull' which can end armyworm invasion.
According to Zeyaur Khan, a scientist leading the innovation, the initiative involves inter-cropping cereals with insect repellent legumes.
“The inter-crop emits a blend of compounds that repel stem borer moths, including armyworm while the border plants emit semi-chemicals that are attractive to the pests,” Khan said.
The innovation will help control maize ear rots and mycotoxins and also improve soil fertility through quality fodder.
“Over the past several months, we received information from Push-Pull farmers that their fields were free of army worm infestation while neighboring mono-crop plots were being ravaged by the pest,” Khan said.