Open Agriculture. 2019; 4: 554-574 Research Article Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko*, Azize Orobiyi, Joelle Toffa, Sédami Medegan Fagla, Dieudonné Martin Gavoedo, Tamò Manuele Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management practices for termite pests of maize in Southern Benin https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2019-0052 to termites. The use of synthetic insecticides was the main received January 31, 2019; accepted June 9, 2019 method to control termites. Four of the 20 pesticides used by farmers have active ingredients that have been listed as Abstract: Termite (Isoptera: Termitidae) infestation is highly hazardous (class Ib) by the World Health Organiza- an important constraint of maize production in Benin. A tion (WHO). Farmers training on the danger and impact survey of 300 households was conducted in 2018 through- of misuse of insecticides on the development of termite out 30 villages in Southern Benin to evaluate farmers’ insecticide resistance was recommended. The develop- knowledge, perceptions and management practices of ment of an integrated termite management strategy is maize termite pests using focus group discussions and discussed and the future research for its implementation individual interviews with a semi-structured question- identified. naire. The results showed that for most of the farmers, maize is the most susceptible crop to termite attacks and Keywords: Benin; Indigenous knowledge; Maize; Manage- the maturation developmental stage having the highest ment practices; Pesticides; Termites. termite abundance and damage. A total of 43 different names of maize termite pests corresponding to 8 species were recorded in the study area. Size and colour were the main criteria used by farmers to classify and identify 1 Introduction maize termite pests. Amitermes evuncifer was perceived as the most damaging to maize during vegetative and matu- Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crop that contributes to food secu- ration stages, while Macrotermes bellicosus was perceived rity and poverty reduction in the Republic of Benin. It is by famers (32.5%) as most damaging during seedling and the most widely grown cereal crop in the country and occu- flowering maize development stages. Erratic rainfall was pies about 70% of the total cereals in the cultivated area perceived by maize producers as the most important factor (MAEP 2010). Maize is produced in all regions of Benin favouring termite infestation in maize fields. The majority with an estimated production to 1,376,683 tonnes in 2016 of the local maize is considered by farmers as susceptible (FAO 2016). This cereal represents the main staple food of the population in Southern Benin (Van Den Akker 2000; Semassa et al. 2017), which is considered as the main area of production for maize (Babadankpodji and Dadou 2015). *Corresponding author: Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko, Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa A national consumption level is estimated at 116.98 grams (FAST-Dassa), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engi- per capita per day in 2013, which places the Republic of neering and Mathematics of Abomey (UNSTIM), BP 14 Dassa-Zoumé, Benin among the major maize consumers in West Africa Benin, E-mail: [email protected] (FAO 2016). Maize kernel is a great source of potassium, Azize Orobiyi, Joelle Toffa, Alterra, Dieudonné Martin Gavoedo, La- carbohydrates and several vitamins (Shah et al. 2016). In boratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Benin, maize is also used as feed and as raw material for of Dassa (FAST-Dassa), National University of Sciences, Techno- logies, Engineering and Mathematics of Abomey (UNSTIM), BP 14 some food industries. Besides its function of food subsist- Dassa-Zoumé, Benin. ence, it is also subject to trade both within the country and Sédami Medegan Fagla, Medicinal and organic chemistry Laborato- sub-regional markets (Boone et al. 2008). Unfortunately, ry, Faculty of health Sciences, 01BP 188 Cotonou Benin maize production in Benin is subject to several constraints Tamò Manuele, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), such as soil infertility, drought, insect attacks including 08 BP 0932, Cotonou, Benin Open Access. © 2019 Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko et al., published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attri- bution 4.0 Public License. Termite maize pests 555 termites that induce a significant decline in yield (Bonou- 2 Material and methods gbo et al. 2017; Loko et al. 2017). Termites are known as one of the most important 2.1 Study area maize production constraints throughout the African con- tinent (Sekamatte et al. 2001; Riekert and Van den Berg The survey was carried out in 2018 in Southern Benin 2003; Sileshi et al. 2005; Sileshi et al. 2008; Faragalla located between latitudes 6°20 N and 7°30 N and lon- and Al Qhtani 2013; Paul et al. 2018). Indeed, termites gitudes 1°35 E and 2°45 E (Figure 1), covering an area of attack maize plants in their seedling stage to maturity and 17,920 km2. This region is among the main maize-grow- damage their roots, leading to deaths (Wood et al. 1980). ing areas in Benin (Babadankpodji and Dadou 2015). Six Species within the genus Odontotermes and Macrotermes (Atlantique, Mono, Couffo, Oueme, Plateau and Zou) of can defoliate maize seedlings, while Microtermes sp. the seven departments located in Southern Benin (Figure attacks mature maize plants (Paul et al. 2018). The crop 1) were surveyed. Only the Littoral Department wasn’t losses caused by these termites are enormous, range from surveyed, because it is entirely formed by the economic 20% to 45% (Wood and Pearce 1991). Despite the impor- capital of Benin, Cotonou, which is an urban area with tance of termite damage to maize fields, very little atten- little maize fields. The study area is characterised by a tion has been given to these pests in Benin. Therefore, Sudano-Guinean climate with two dry seasons and two the folk nomenclature and taxonomy of maize’ termite wet seasons. The mean annual rainfall range is from 800 pests are unknown. The taxonomic knowledge of these to 1500 mm and the mean temperature is 27 °C (Table 1). indigenous termites is important for the best communi- The soils are either deeply ferralitic or rich in clay, humus cation between farmers, extension agents and scientists and minerals. The native vegetation consists of dense on termite pest problems (Akutse et al. 2012). Similarly, semi-deciduous forests and Guinean savannahs. In South farmers’ knowledge and perception of maize’ termite Benin, farmers practice continuous cultivation or short pests are not well documented. The understanding of duration fallows (Schulz et al., 2003). The main food the indigenous knowledge on termite pests accumulated crops are maize, cassava and cowpea while oil palm and by farmers is not only crucial for their efficient manage- groundnuts are major cash crops. The population of South ment but also for the conservation of the non-pest termite Benin is estimated at 5,894,168 inhabitants (INSAE, 2013) species. and constitutes several socio-cultural groups, such as the Worldwide, termite control is commonly based on the Saxwè, Adja, Cotafon, Watchi, Mina, Nagot, Ouémègbé, use of chemical insecticides that have a negative impact Fon, Tori and Ayizo. Within each of the six departments, on the environment and human health (Logan et al. 1990; the surveyed villages were selected on the basis of the Verma et al. 2018). However, in Africa, farmers often use maize production statistics taken from agriculture and traditional pest management practices to control termites rural development office of each department (Figure 1). (Sileshi et al. 2005; Sileshi et al. 2008; Loko et al. 2017). In order to elaborate integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that suit small-scale maize producers in Benin, 2.2 Data collection it is important to identify the appropriate and sustainable traditional control methods adopted by farmers (Nyeko et A survey was carried out between February and June 2018 al. 2002; Sileshi et al. 2008; Akutse et al. 2012). This paper in the 30 selected villages of Southern Benin (Figure 1). In presents the results of a survey on termite pests of maize each village, the data were collected using the tools (ques- conducted in Southern Benin. The objectives of the survey tionnaires) and the methods (household survey, focus were to (i) document farmers’ perceptions, folk nomencla- group survey, and field visit) of participatory research ture, folk taxonomy, and damage of maize’ termite pests; (Kombo et al. 2012). In each village, 10 households were (ii) identify resistant maize varieties to termite attacks; selected using the transect method described by Dansi et and (iii) identify termite pest management practices, con- al. (2010) for an individual interview. A total of 300 (258 straints and intervention opportunities for the develop- male and 42 female) household head farmers who grew ment of an integrated termite management strategy that maize were interviewed throughout the 30 surveyed vil- will contribute to the enhancement of maize production lages. The number of surveyed farmers varied from one in Southern Benin. department to another, depending on the maize producers at the level of each surveyed village. The highest number of farmers interviewed was from the Zou Department (N = 556 Table 1: Basic information regarding the six surveyed departments in southern Benin Departments Loko Yêyinou Estelle Laura Zou Mono Couffo Plateau Ouémé Atlantique