Botanical control of pre and post-harvest crop pests in the Teso farming system.

Abstract

The study was carried out within Soroti and Kumi district in Eastern Uganda in which agriculture is the main economic activity. Participatory methods were used for collecting informantion. Plant samples were collected and botanically identified. Vernonia lasiopus was used by harvesting the shoot. While the wilted plant material was obtained by removing excess water. The wilted plant materials were spread on the floor of the store or in three layers within the storage bag. Pesticidal plants were used to protect crops and draught animals in the Teso farming system against insect pests both in the gardens, stores and ecto-parasites respectively. However different plant parts were used to perform different functions. Some of the methods used in harvesting and processing of pesticidal plants before application were damaging, wasteful and unsustainable.