Ibadan, Nigeria
August 14, 2009
Calm has returned to Africa’s
eastern bloc after swarms of invasive red locust were checked by
scientists using fungal biopesticides (Green Muscle®), thanks to
the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and
partners.
If left uncontrolled, a full blown invasion would have put a
major setback on food security in that region, said Dr. Ignace
Godonou, IITA Entomologist,
who was part of the team that developed the biopesticide 14
years ago.
“We are happy Green Muscle® has proved effective in the control
of locust and is now globally used.”
Last month, a rapid intervention using the biopesticide
drastically reduced locust infestations in Tanzania and
prevented a full blown invasion that could have affected the
food crops of around 15 million people in the region, according
to the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The biopesticide, which was developed by IITA technical led team
under the LUBILOSA project— (LUtte BIologique contre les
LOcustes et les SAuteriaux – Biological Control of Locusts and
Grasshoppers) — has proved effective in the control of locusts
in the Sahelian region including the Republic of Niger and
Mauritania.
The environment-friendly alternative to synthetic chemical
pesticides uses a natural fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae var.
acridum whose spores are suspended in an oil solution, according
to a former IITA scientist, Dr. J. Langewald et al in the
Journal of Biocontrol Science and Technology published in 1997.
Dr. Godonou said initial field trials of the product were
conducted in the Republic of Benin under the close watch of IITA
scientists based in Cotonou, but the subsequent large scale
field trials were held in Niger and Mauritania.
“Mass production of the fungus for small to large scale field
trials also started at IITA-Benin,” he added.
The fungus weakens and kills the locusts in 10 to 14 days and
the biopesticide is therefore more effective as a control agent.
“Moreover, it can persist in the ground for several weeks to a
year after spraying continuing to attack and kill healthy locust
and grasshoppers. The fungus is very safe and has narrow range
of hosts,” said Dr. Godonou.
Apart from IITA, other lead institutions in the LUBILOSA project
were the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI),
Ascot in the UK, and the Département de Formation en Protection
des Végétaux in Niger with many partners drawn from donors,
several research institutes, national agricultural research and
extension systems (NARES), non-governmental organizations, FAO,
private sector companies and farmers.
The Green Muscle® was picked up by the commercial sector and is
currently being produced in the Republic of South Africa.
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