Helping Pakistan's wheat farmers lose less

Overview

Results

The team

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So what's the problem?

Wheat is a staple crop in many countries. After rice and maize, it's the third most produced cereal crop in the world. Pakistan is no different with wheat dominating all other crops in both acreage and production (wheat accounts for 65 % of the food grain acreage, and 70 % of the total crop production). Overall 8.41 million hectares are given over to its production, 6.27 million of which fall in the Province of Punjab in the east of the country.

However, despite being grown across large amounts of land, yields are not what they could be. Pests such as the devastating wheat aphid, can decimate crops, leaving farming families with much less wheat for themselves and to sell at market. Part of the problem is that natural enemies of the aphids, such as other insects, are being wiped out by heavy use of broad spectrum chemical pesticides which have soared in recent years. This spraying is undermining the natural balance and the wheat aphids, without the threat of their natural enemies, are reaping the benefits.

More worryingly, wheat aphids are starting to attack the crops at the early milky grain stage when the aphids can cause the maximum damage to the young crop and it is inadvisable to spray most pesticides. This is causing even worse damage and further economic loss to the farmer. Aphids have also been blamed for transmitting viruses and fungal diseases in other countries and it may just be a matter of time before this is the case in Pakistan.

What is this project doing?

To address the problem before it is too late, CABI has been brought on board to implement a project whereby they and their partners encourage farmers to adopt a proactive approach, rather than following the pests in their wake. This project involves creating a control strategy, to be used before the aphid poses a serious threat.

Wheat is sown throughout a large area, and it is neither economically, or environmentally feasible to spray non-selective pesticides on this scale. Scientific research is therefore required to resolve the issue on a permanent and sustainable basis.

The project aims to achieve IPM of aphids on wheat by conducting ecological zone based extensive research on balanced and unbalanced use of fertilizer, intercropping of Brassica napus in wheat crop for conservation of natural enemies of aphids, screening of pesticides and development of resistant wheat varieties. Based on research findings, a package will be developed & demonstrated for the management of wheat aphids so as save the farmer from economic loss of wheat production and protect environment from pesticides pollution. Hence, the project is farmer and environment friendly.

Once the team has undertaken the scientific research required, the next phase of the project will be to train farmers in these approaches and to promote the dissemination of these techniques across the region. The ultimate aim is to protect farmers' wheat yields from aphid attack by using little or no pesticides, therefore protecting the environment, consumers and farmers' pockets.

Results so far

First, the team tested different ratios of the main constituents of fertilizer – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – to gauge their effects on aphid infestation and yield. The most aphids were recorded in plots where only nitrogen was applied, whereas the fewest aphids were noted in the plots where balanced fertilizer was used. These plots also gave the maximum yield.

Intercropping of wheat with canola was also trialled. The aphid population was reduced as a result of the higher population of natural enemies in the intercropped area, with little sacrifice to the wheat yield in economic terms.

We tested the effects of 15 insecticides on wheat aphids and their natural enemies. 10 pesticides caused more than 60 per cent reduction in the aphid population. Two of these proved to be best at controlling aphids and were also safe for natural enemies.

Farmers are now being trained in when to sow wheat, applying balanced fertilizer and safer pesticides, watering and intercropping, and these techniques are being promoted for dissemination across the region.

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