Improved Production Efficiency through Standardized, Integrated, and Enhanced Research and Technology

Approach

The goal of NCS 19P was to develop an integrated pest management program (IPM) for peanut pests in West Africa. Diagnostic pest surveys, crop loss assessment, deployment of resistant peanut germplasm, cultural and biological controls will be utilized in the IPM program, which will utilize GIS to process information for IPM deployment and pest forecasting.

Achievements

Screening trials and evaluations were completed for thrips, potato leafhopper, Southern corn rootworm, and tomato spotted wilt virus with 40 germplasm entries in the U.S. showing some levels of resistance. Research efforts were continuing. The pest survey and crop loss data being accumulated in Ghana were allowing evaluation of production constraints and developing the foundation for future research. Insects, disease, and nematode samples were collected in more than 30 regions from farmer fields. Pod samples and yield data were also collected. The surveys indicate a wide range of pests with considerable variation in the species and abundance of pests across regions. Needed data on evaluation of a wide range of germplasm for indications of resistance and cultural practices, including planting date variations, were forthcoming to strengthen the achievements for this project.

Focus

Production efficiency