OFM News’ Elsabé Richard has more…

See PODCAST below

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development hereby makes a clarion call to all maize and related host crops such as sorghum and sweet corn growers, including community members, to take precautionary measures in controlling the Fall Armyworm.

The department's spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, says in a statement the Fall Armyworm (FAW) is a regulated pest in South Africa in terms of the Control Measures Relating to Fall Armyworm.

FAW is a disastrous exotic pest with a wide host range and, if not properly controlled, it may lead to damage of the host crop and or yield. With early rains experienced in different parts of the country, high infestation levels of the FAW can be expected.

Ngcobo says farmers and community members are advised to take precautionary control measures, which includes diligent and vigilant scouting for egg packs, leaf damage and caterpillars as well as trapping, to ensure early detection for effective control of the worm.

The moth can be caught in traps with a lure, which can also serve as an early warning of the presence of the pest. For agrochemical control, a list of registered agrochemicals is available on the department's website.

Effective control of the Fall Armyworm can be realised through integrated pest management practice. It is best to start agrochemical spraying while the caterpillars are shorter than one cm.

Ngcobo further explains that big caterpillars over 1 cm crawl deep into the leaf whorls of maize plants and that makes it difficult to reach them when agricultural chemicals are applied.

The main concern with this pest is that it can rapidly develop resistance to agrochemicals, therefore it is highly recommended to rotate the agricultural chemicals within the cropping season in accordance with the resistance group and mode of action.

Furthermore, crop farmers as well as community members are encouraged to do regular scouting of the Fall Armyworm, particularly in younger plantings.

Communities can also call the nearest Local Agriculture Centre for technical advisory.

OFM News