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The Legume Pod-Borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer): Past, Present and Future Research

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Abstract

The legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis, continues to be a major limitation to successful cowpea cultivation in many countries. During the past decade, research on this insect has increased in scope and intensity at international agricultural research centres and a number of universities. The work that has been done on the biology and control of this pest at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is briefly discussed with emphasis on the development of a management strategy centred around host plant resistance, and some suggestions for future research direction are given.

Résumé

Le rongeur de cosse de légume, Maruca testulalis, continue d’être une contrainte majeure de la culture de petit pois (cowpea) dans beaucoup de pays. Au cours de la dernière décennie, la recherche sur cet insecte ravageur a augmenté d’intensité dans les centres de recherche agricole internationaux et dans plusieurs universités. Le travail qui a été effectue sur la biologie et le contrôle de cet insecte ravageur à l’Institut International d’Agriculture Tropicale (IITA) est brièvement discuté, l’accent étant placé sur le développement d’une stratégie de contrôle basée sur la résistance de la plante hôte, et quelques suggestions sur l’orientation future de la recherche sont données.

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Singh, S.R., Jackai, L.E.N. The Legume Pod-Borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer): Past, Present and Future Research. Int J Trop Insect Sci 9, 1–5 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400009930

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400009930

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