Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) occurrence and infestation behaviour as influenced by farm type, cropping systems and soil management practices
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecosystems & Environment
Abstract
Occurrence of pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes) has been increasing at an alarming rate on
pineapple in Uganda. The cause of the epidemic is unknown. This study was set out to establish whether
prevailing cropping systems, production and management practices could provide an insight into the
trend. A biological monitoring study that covered 150 pineapple farms was conducted in 2012 and 2013.
Farms were categorised under organic and conventional systems. Mealybug population densities
(mealybugs/plant) were recorded in relation to seed bed types, cropping system and soil management
practices used on each farm. Mealybug population densities were lower in pineapple–banana intercrop
system (27.8) than in a sole pineapple crop (81.8) across seasons. Earthed-up seed beds registered higher
mealybug densities (84.1) than
flat seed beds (31). Earthed-up seed beds created more favourable
environment for mealybug multiplication than
flat beds. Use of coffee husks as a soil fertility amendment
promoted mealybug population build up (83.8) whereas fallowing had a reducing effect (22.7). More indepth
studies on the role of soil moisture and soil cover in mealybug population build-up in pineapples
are recommended.
Description
Keywords
Conventional system, Earthing-up, Fallowing, Foliar fertilizers, Organic system, Pineapple–banana intercrop
Citation
Kabi, S., Karungi, J., Sigsgaard, L., & Ssebuliba, J. M. (2016). Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) occurrence and infestation behaviour as influenced by farm type, cropping systems and soil management practices. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 222, 23-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.01.040