Effect of various fertilizers and rates on insect pest/pearl millet relationship in Senegal

Abstract

Application of complete fertilizer at 50-300 kg ha-1 to two pearl millet cultivars, Souna and IBV-8001, or urea at 50-200 kg ha-to cv. Souna, resulted in significantly increased levels of stalk infestation and larval abundance of the stalk borer, Coniesta (Acigona) ignefusalis Hampson, but superphosphate when applied at 50-200 kg ha-1 reduced stalk infestation. Urea applications reduced spike infestation caused by the spike worm, Heliocheilus (Raghuva) albipunctella De Joannis, and larval numbers were lower in plots receiving urea or superphosphate than in non-fertilized plots. Linear and quadratic regression equations were calculated to study the trend in fertilizer response. The implications of fertilizer application in pest management in local millets in Senegal are discussed.