Field evaluation of a new third generation push-pull technology for control of striga weed, stemborers, and fall armyworm in western Kenya

Summary Production of cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened by parasitic striga weeds and attack stemborers the invasive fall armyworm (FAW), compounded increasing hot dry conditions. A climate-smart push-pull technology (PPT) significantly reduces effects these biotic challenges. To improve further resilience system to climate change, more adapted suitable companion plants were identified integrated a new version PPT, termed ‘third generation PPT’. Our study evaluates field performance farmer opinions this comparison with earlier version, farmers’ own practices growing maize controlling stemborers, FAW, weeds. Trials conducted across five locations western Kenya for two cropping seasons year 2019 following one-farm one-replicate completely randomized design. We assessed infestation on striga, yield three systems. also sought hosting farmers through semi-structured questionnaires that administered individual interviews. Both PPT plots recorded ( P < 0.05) lower count, stemborer damage, higher grain than followed practices. There was no statistically significant difference between except damage which third PPT. However, preferred important traits possessed its their counterparts are deficient. The cultivar Xaraes rated as ‘very good’ resistance spider mites, biomass yield, drought tolerance while Desmodium incanum seed production tolerance. based resilient conditions rapidly prevalence change. This therefore presents better option upscale meet different needs especially arid semi-arid