Sunn pest management: A decade of progress 1994-2004

Bruce L. Parker, Margaret Skinner, Mustapha El Bouhssini, Safaa Kumari. (31/12/2007). Sunn pest management: A decade of progress 1994-2004. Beirut, Lebanon.

Abstract

Wheat is the staple food in the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region. Annual per capita consumption of wheat in CWANA is about 185 kg, the highest in the world. The region accounts for 23% of the global wheat area but only 14% of global wheat production. Wheat productivity is only 1.5 t/ha, compared with the world average of 5 t/ha. The main limiting factors include drought- 70 % of wheat acreage in CWANA is affected by drought-heat and cold stress, diseases, and pests. To meet domestic demand, many countries in the region have to import large quantities of bread wheat, which places a heavy burden on national economies. Of the various wheat pests, the Sunn Pest is the most devastating. It can cause up to 100% crop loss. It affects about 15 million hectares of wheat annually, and over US$150 million is spent each year on pesticides in the Sunn Pest-prone areas. In addition to the high cost, insecticides pose risks to human health and the environment. In collaboration with a range of partners, ICARDA has been developing integrated pest management (lPM) options for Sunn Pest. The partners include NARS in CWANA; the University of Vermont, USA; CABI Bioscience; and the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK. Scientists from 23 countries in CWANA and Eastern Europe (where wheat and barley crops suffer Sunn Pest infestation) met at ICARDA headquarters on 19-22 July 2004 for the Second International Conference on Sunn Pest on the theme 'Enhancing International Cereal Production Capacity for Food Security'. The conference was co-organized by ICARDA, the University of Vermont, and the Arab Society for Plant Protection. Research findings presented and discussed during the conference highlighted various technical possibilities of IPM: safeguarding the complex of natural enemies, use of insect-killing fungi, host plant resistance, cultural practices, and selective use of pesticides. IPM will reduce production costs, benefit national economies, and significantly reduce environmental pollution and health hazards. While very encouraging progress has been made in research, several priority issues were identified to further enhance the field implementation of effective, sustainable, and environmentally sound IPM strategies. Significant investment in both research and on-farm field activities must be made through regional approaches and international collaboration. Because insects do not recognize country borders, a regional strategy is critical, if we are to reduce the negative impact of Sunn Pest on food security. The ultimate goal is to maintain Sunn Pest populations at low levels using an integrated approach in a well-coordinated regional program.