Integrated Management of Aphis craccivora in Cowpea Using Intercropping and Entomopathogenic Fungi under Field Conditions

Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, is a major cowpea pest. Cowpea–cereal intercrop alone does not effectively manage the pest. Use of pesticides in intercrop leads to health and environmental risks. Fungal-based biopesticides offer a better option because they are environment- and consumer-friendly. This study assessed the combined effect of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 62 and cowpea–maize intercrop against A. craccivora under six treatments: (1) untreated cowpea monocrop, (2) untreated cowpea–maize intercrop, (3) cowpea monocrop + ICIPE 62, (4) cowpea–maize intercrop + ICIPE 62, (5) cowpea monocrop + Duduthrin insecticide, and (6) cowpea–maize intercrop + Duduthrin during three seasons (long rainy/cold and dry/short rainy). In the cold and dry season, cowpea–maize intercrop treated with ICIPE 62 recorded the lowest infestation/cowpea damage, whereas the leaf yield was comparable to cowpea monocrop treated with ICIPE 62. In the short rainy season, the cowpea–maize intercrop treated with ICIPE 62 recorded the lowest infestation/damage, whereas leaf yield was similar to cowpea–maize intercrop treated with ICIPE 62 in the cold and dry season. Duduthrin in monocrop and intercrop did not reduce aphid infestation/cowpea damage levels in all the seasons. Although the efficacy of M. anisopliae ICIPE 62-based biopesticide could be affected by seasons, it successfully controlled aphid population in cowpea–maize intercrop under field conditions without affecting aphid-associated natural enemies.Peer Reviewe