Control of the Sorghum Stem Borer,Busseola fusca, by Partial Burning of the Stalks

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Abstract
Different methods of dealing with sorghum stalks after harvest are surveyed. The recommended practices of burning stalks completely after the grain has been harvested or spreading them thinly in the field throughout the dry season to kill diapausing larvae of Busseola fusca are not followed by farmers. Over 95% of farmers keep their stalks in stacks, sometimes in the shade. This allows the survival of diapausing larvae inside the stalks. Partial burning of stalks (to cure them for use as firewood) immediately after grain harvest kills 95% of the larvae with no damage to the stalks. It is suggested that partial burning is an ideal compromise, because it has proved impossible over the years to make farmers completely burn stalks which they use for building, fencing and fuel.

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