What is a push plant?
The “push” in the intercropping scheme is provided by the plants that emit volatile chemicals (kairomones) which repel stemborer moths and drive them away from the main crop (maize or sorghum). The most commonly used species of push plants are legumes of the genus Desmodium (e.g. silverleaf Desmodium, D.
What are push and pull stimuli?
Push-pull strategies involve the behavioral manipulation of insect pests and their natural enemies via the integration of stimuli that act to make the protected resource unattractive or unsuitable to the pests (push) while luring them toward an attractive source (pull) from where the pests are subsequently removed.
Is Napier grass push or pull?
Push–pull involves intercropping of cereals with Desmodium as a “push” crop and planting Napier grass/Brachiaria as the “pull” crop at the border.
What is the main staple crop that was produced in the ancient Americas?
And by 4,000 years ago maize was a persistently used staple and its importance continues through the Classic Maya period and until today.”
What is the push-pull method in agriculture?
“Push-Pull” (www.push-pull.net) is an integrated, sustainable method of farming that improves maize and sorghum yields and soil fertility: The stemborer pest is repelled by the smell of desmodium planted as an intercrop between the maize and sorghum (“Push”).
What is the push and pull strategy in agriculture?
The strategy involves intercropping cereals with a repellent plant, such as desmodium, which repels or deters stemborers from the target food crop. An attractant trap plant, for instance Napier grass, is planted around the border of this intercrop, with the purpose of attracting and trapping the pests.
What is meant by push and pull technology?
Pull technology is used anytime the transfer of information is initiated by a request sent from a client to a server. Push technology, on the other hand, is implemented any time a transfer of information is initiated by a server without waiting on a request from a client.
What is intercrop vegetable farming?
vegetable farming The system of intercropping, or companion cropping, involves the growing of two or more kinds of vegetables on the same land in the same growing season. One of the vegetables must be a small-growing and quick-maturing crop; the other must be larger and late maturing.
Which was a staple crop in Mesoamerica?
The most important plant in ancient Mesoamerica, was, unarguably, maize. Squash and beans were also important staples of the ancient Mesoamerican agricultural diet and along with maize, are often referred to as the “Three Sisters”.
What is the meaning of staple crop?
In fact, these crops are often the basis for food staples. A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population’s diet. Food staples are eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs.
How does push pull technology improve plant productivity?
Effects on environmental services (e.g. standing and soil carbon, biodiversity, water, soils) Soils: Push–pull technology improves soil health through nitrogen fixation (desmodium being an efficient legume for this), increased soil organic matter content, conservation of soil moisture and reduced soil temperatures.
How does the push pull system prevent soil erosion?
The system provides year-round soil cover, helps conserve soil moisture and soil structure, and prevents erosion. Farmers have adapted ‘push-pull’ to allow intercropping with beans and report that their maize yields have increased three to four times.