adminAgriculture Reporter
The current heavy rains have helped reduce army worm damage to crops and pastures, the Plant Protection Research Institute has said.
Head of the PPRI Dr Godfrey Chikwenhere said the recent army worm attacks in Mashonaland Central and Midlands did not have severe effects as the infestation was washed away by the rains.
“There have been army worm outbreaks in Mbire, Muzarabani and Kwekwe but the worms were swept away by the rains. In Midlands the maize crop was not severely affected since the farmers planted early while in Mashonaland Central where most farmers planted late, the crops were saved by the rains,” he said.
However, Dr Chikwenhere said the rains also made it impossible for the reaction teams to visit some of the affected areas to assess the situation.
“We have not received any new outbreak reports but large numbers of army worm moths have been reported in the Chitsungo and Masoka areas in Mbire.
“We will have to wait for a break in the rains to assess the situation on the ground and get more details on the pest,” he said.
The PPRI distributed anti-army worm chemicals in October last year.
Farmers who plant late are at high risk in case of an army worm outbreak as the pest feeds on tender crops.
Online Reporter