Invertebrate pests and diseases of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas): a review and identification of research priorities for smallholder production

Sweetpotato has been the subject of little research worldwide compared with other major crop staples, and this is especially so for less developed countries where sweetpotato is critical for food security. This review synthesises information on plant protection issues that affect smallholder sweetpo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of applied biology 2016-05, Vol.168 (3), p.291-320
Main Authors: Johnson, A.C, G.M. Gurr
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological control
burning
climate change
composting
CRISPR
Crop diseases
crop residues
crop yield
crops
cultural control
Curculionidae
Cylas formicarius elegantulus
decision making
developed countries
Developing countries
diagnostic techniques
drought
fallow
farmers
food security
Formicidae
harvesting
industrialization
inoculum
integrated pest management
Invertebrata
invertebrates
Ipomoea batatas
LAMP
LDCs
livestock
nutrition
Pathogens
pesticides
pests
pheromone traps
plant protection
planting
population growth
postharvest losses
risk reduction
roots
soil nutrients
sweet potatoes
transmission by vectors
viruses
weevils
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Summary:Sweetpotato has been the subject of little research worldwide compared with other major crop staples, and this is especially so for less developed countries where sweetpotato is critical for food security. This review synthesises information on plant protection issues that affect smallholder sweetpotato farmers in less developed countries to identify major issues and suggest research priorities. Though the pests and diseases of sweetpotato in less developed countries are largely common to industrialised systems, their relative importance differs and losses tend to be more severe as a result of differing agronomic practices and relative unavailability of management options and technical support that are important in developed countries. Smallholders are heavily reliant on cultural practices such as traditional forms of biological control using ants and livestock, fallowing and composting (sometimes with plant materials having biocidal properties). Crop protection methods that have been developed for use in sweetpotato production in developed countries, such as pathogen‐tested planting material, early maturing varieties, pheromone trapping and pesticides are less accessible to, and relevant for, smallholders. Smallholders also typically harvest a given crop progressively which extends the period over which storage roots are potentially vulnerable to attack but reduces the risk of post‐harvest losses. Human population growth in developing countries is leading to an increase in cropping intensity with shorter fallow periods and more years of continuous crops. This has the dual effect of depleting soil nutrients and increasing the potential for pest and pathogen build‐up. Associated with this, the adoption of strategies to manage crop nutrition, such as not burning crop residues, promote carryover of pests and pathogen inocula. As a consequence of these factors, sweetpotato yield losses from diseases, especially viruses, and pests, particularly weevils, can be high. Climate change is likely to result in more frequent drought and this will increase losses caused by sweetpotato weevils that are favoured by dry conditions. This review of sweetpotato pests and their management options concludes with suggestions for some future research priorities including the combination of traditional practices that have pest management outcomes with relevant practices from industrial production that are able to be transferred or modified for use in smallholder production.
ISSN:0003-4746
1744-7348
DOI:10.1111/aab.12265