Management of weeds and soil pests in Kenyan vegetable crops


Summary: Training sessions were conducted in three Kenyan villages (Maito, Zambia and Kiambani) near Kitui, to demonstrate basic weed and pest management techniques appropriate to local vegetable crop production systems. Common vegetable crops in the area are mung bean onion bean, and tomato. Solarization is a simple and safe method to kill weed seeds, nematodes and soilborne diseases prior to planting vegetable crops. In the Kitui District of Kenya located near the equator, the sun is strong and solarization works well. Plastic films installed over moist soil, raised the soil temperature above the thermal death point, >50°C, killing soil pests. Competition is the primary damage caused by weeds to the crop. Weeds left uncontrolled beyond the critical period of weed control can reduce crop yields. Traditional methods of weed control in Kenya allow weeds to compete with the crop and crop losses to weeds are common. Two simple tools, a hula hoe and a wheel hoe were introduced to rural Kenyans to permit more rapid and timely weed removal.



Value Chain

Pest management