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<p>Push-pull is a&#xa0;cropping strategy that involves intercropping cereals with herbaceous legumes and surrounding them with fodder grasses. This approach improves soil fertility, provides high-quality feed and protein, and helps control pests like stalk borer, striga, and the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). However, little is known about the specific roles of each component or the potential of replacing desmodium with other food legumes to manage FAW on sorghum. In this study, we evaluated the separate and combined effects of the “push” (Desmodium and other food legumes) and “pull” (Napier grass) components on FAW management. Field experiments were conducted in Kobo and Sirinka during the 2020 main cropping season using a&#xa0;randomized complete block design. Sorghum was intercropped with common bean, mung bean, soybean, cowpea, sesame, and desmodium, with and without Napier grass borders. We measured FAW infestation, foliar damage, stalk borer infestation, plant height, seed weight, biomass, grain yield, and predator abundance. Results showed that intercropping significantly reduced FAW infestation and foliar damage, with cowpea intercrops performing best in both Napier-bordered and non-bordered plots. Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and desmodium hosted higher numbers of natural FAW predators (Coccinellid beetles). Intercropping with food legumes also increased sorghum yield and provided additional protein-rich food for farmers. Therefore, intercropping sorghum with cowpea is recommended for FAW management, especially where land for Napier grass borders is limited.</p>

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Evaluation of Push-Pull Components: Comparing Food Legumes with Desmodium in Sorghum-Based Intercropping Systems for Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Management in Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月23日

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  • Aderajew Mihretie,
  • Admasie Kassaw,
  • Mequanint Andualem Mekonnen

摘要

Push-pull is a cropping strategy that involves intercropping cereals with herbaceous legumes and surrounding them with fodder grasses. This approach improves soil fertility, provides high-quality feed and protein, and helps control pests like stalk borer, striga, and the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). However, little is known about the specific roles of each component or the potential of replacing desmodium with other food legumes to manage FAW on sorghum. In this study, we evaluated the separate and combined effects of the “push” (Desmodium and other food legumes) and “pull” (Napier grass) components on FAW management. Field experiments were conducted in Kobo and Sirinka during the 2020 main cropping season using a randomized complete block design. Sorghum was intercropped with common bean, mung bean, soybean, cowpea, sesame, and desmodium, with and without Napier grass borders. We measured FAW infestation, foliar damage, stalk borer infestation, plant height, seed weight, biomass, grain yield, and predator abundance. Results showed that intercropping significantly reduced FAW infestation and foliar damage, with cowpea intercrops performing best in both Napier-bordered and non-bordered plots. Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and desmodium hosted higher numbers of natural FAW predators (Coccinellid beetles). Intercropping with food legumes also increased sorghum yield and provided additional protein-rich food for farmers. Therefore, intercropping sorghum with cowpea is recommended for FAW management, especially where land for Napier grass borders is limited.