8. Strip cropping: a potential IPM tool for reducing whitefly, <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleryodidae) Infestations in Cassava

Abstract

Insect pests and diseases are a major limiting factor to cassava production in Africa. The cassava mosaic virus
disease (CMVD), caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) (Geminiviridae: Begomovirus) and
transmitted by whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, threatens the production of the crop in Africa, causing an
estimated annual yield loss of over 1.5 billion US dollars. A 6-month field experiments were conducted to
explore the potential of using strip cropping to reduce whitefly infestations in cassava, Manihot esculenta
Crantz (Euphorbiaceae). Five rows each of cassava, Jatropha and cotton were grown around a 10-row (1 m row
width) × 25 m cassava plots in a randomized complete block design. At weekly intervals, the levels of
whiteflies infestations (number of eggs, nymphs and adults) per plot were determined. A significantly lower
numbers of immature (egg and nymph) and adult Bemisia tabaci were found in cassava plots surrounded on all
sides by five rows of both cotton and Jatropha curcas, clearly demonstrating the potential of strip cropping
as a management option for the suppression of Bemisia tabaci populations.