Effect of Mulching and Intercropping on Termite Damage to Maize at Bako Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Non-chemical control of termites in agriculture is attracting renewed interest following increasing restrictions on the use of persistent organoclorine (cyclodione) insecticides. The use of maize stover and neem seed powder as mulch, soybean as intercrop with maize and simultaneous use of mulching and intercropping to reduce termite infestations were evaluated at the Bako Agricultural Research Center, Western Ethiopia during 2005 to 2006 cropping seasons. The plot size was 8 m x 8 m. Termite damage on maize was
inspected at regular intervals throughout both seasons. In both cropping seasons higher damage to maize plants commenced at latter stage. The study revealed that intercropping, mulching and integration of mulching and intercropping caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in termite attack to maize. The average yield of maize w'as higher in protected (mulched and intercropped) plots than in unprotected (not mulched and not intercropped) plots. In many instances, grain yield of maize was significantly higher (P=0.01) in the plots receiving both mulching and intercropping treatments together. There were positive correlations among damage variables, while the correlation between damage variables and agronomic characters was negative. Intercropping and mulching appear to be among the suitable components of an integrated management strategy for termites in smallholder cropping systems.