Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - April 2026

This paper reports on the use of "Push Pull Technology" (PPT) in maize that they use to control insect pests (stemborer) and parasitic weeds (Striga) in low fertility soils using two farming practices -- CT and CA - in Malawi. Stemborer and Striga infestations were investigated and the suitability levels of two Desmodium species as cover crops. Farmers' perceptions of PPT were gathered through a focus group discussion. The performance of PPT varied significantly between treatments, sites, and years on grain yields and the number of cobs that could be assigned to soil attributes. Results reaffirmed the technology's agronomic benefits in productivity, pest management, plant vigour, and Striga control. The cost of labour was described as a challenge, and research to identify more suitable Desmodium species is needed. They emphasized the importance of Desmodium and Brachiaria as animal fodder to improve the adoption of the technology.

This is a study of the parasitic weed, Striga, a frequent problem for smallholder farmers in South Africa. They used system dynamic modeling to assess the efficacy of various striga treatments (SCPs) across different seasons and agroecosystems in maize based cropping systems. Model simulations indicate that while a combination of SCPs are necessary to manage the weed, future research should focus on developing smallholder-adapted SCPs that address the attachment stage of the weed's lifecycle (e.g., timely manure application) rather than its germination, emergence or flowering stages. They conclude that it is imperative to develop decision support tools like systems models to evaluate SCPs for smallholders that help extension agents to provide correct information to farmers.