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The Odontotermes spp and Macrotermes spp associated with damage in maize crops and trees of economic importance in Arusha, Tanzania

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania and African Development Bank Capacity Building Project, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
  • 2Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
  • 3Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 8, Issue (2), Pages 6-11, April,2 (2019)

Abstract

Termites are among the insect pests which constrain agricultural crop yields and tree production. The aim of this study was to identify termite species devastating maize crops and trees of economic values. Quadrats were conducted to collect termites from infested fields of maize crops and trees of economic importance. The termites collected were put in 70% alcohol prior to identification. Also leaves and flowers were collected from all infested trees for identification. The experimental identification was carried out at Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha. The results obtained confirmed that termite species of Odontotermes and Macrotermes are the most problematic ones which hinder maize crop and tree production. The Macrotermes spp were found to cause a great loss in maize crops where as Odontotermes spp affected Gravillea robusta, Terminalia mantale, Moringa oleifera, Jacaranda mimosifolia and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius intensively. Currently, there are no any practical control strategies of termites in the study site. Therefore, this study proposes to adopt sustainable management strategies involving integrated pest management (IPM) for the small scale farmers so that to improve their maize crops and tree production.

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