At a time when tomato scarcity has continued to rage due to a pest called Tuta absoluta, a new disease has been uncovered in the South-west geopolitical zone of the country. ThisDay Reports.

This time, it is a maize disease, according to the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

The IAR&T which is the zonal coordinating research institute in the South-west in a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations Unit, Mr. Adeniyi Amusat, declared that an uncommon pest/disease is presently ravaging maize on the field in the South-west agro-ecological zone of Nigeria which may likely lead to scarcity of maize in the region.

The disease, according to THISDAY findings, has rendered many hectares of maize plantations this year malnourished and in some instances, stunted and yellowish, without maize buds for eventual harvest. Many farmers are lamenting the development, describing it “as an unprecedented phenomenon in recent years.”

But the institute, while calling on all stakeholders to aggressively address the looming danger maintained that if not checked there may be scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently.

The statement noted that the new discovery portends serious danger for production and consumption of maize in the nation as it forms larger percentage of livestock feeds formulation especially in poultry.

It however assured that IAR&T which is the institute saddled with maize production mandate in the region is already setting machinery in motion to control the menace.

The statement read: “This is to inform members of the public that an uncommon pest/disease is presently ravaging maize on the field in the South-west agro – ecological zone of Nigeria. Consequently, if not checked there may be scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently.”

According to the statement,” This portends serious danger for the nation as maize is an important staple food for the country and forms larger percentage of live stock feeds formulation especially in poultry.

IAR&T is the institute saddled with maize production mandate in South-west Nigeria and the institute has already set machinery in motion to control the menace.”

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AgricNation:
At a time when tomato scarcity has continued to rage due to a pest called Tuta absoluta, a new disease has been uncovered in the South-west geopolitical zone of the country. ThisDay Reports.

This time, it is a maize disease, according to the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

The IAR&T which is the zonal coordinating research institute in the South-west in a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations Unit, Mr. Adeniyi Amusat, declared that an uncommon pest/disease is presently ravaging maize on the field in the South-west agro-ecological zone of Nigeria which may likely lead to scarcity of maize in the region.

The disease, according to THISDAY findings, has rendered many hectares of maize plantations this year malnourished and in some instances, stunted and yellowish, without maize buds for eventual harvest. Many farmers are lamenting the development, describing it “as an unprecedented phenomenon in recent years.”

But the institute, while calling on all stakeholders to aggressively address the looming danger maintained that if not checked there may be scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently.

The statement noted that the new discovery portends serious danger for production and consumption of maize in the nation as it forms larger percentage of livestock feeds formulation especially in poultry.

It however assured that IAR&T which is the institute saddled with maize production mandate in the region is already setting machinery in motion to control the menace.

The statement read: “This is to inform members of the public that an uncommon pest/disease is presently ravaging maize on the field in the South-west agro – ecological zone of Nigeria. Consequently, if not checked there may be scarcity/shortage of maize as experienced with tomato recently.”

According to the statement,” This portends serious danger for the nation as maize is an important staple food for the country and forms larger percentage of live stock feeds formulation especially in poultry.

IAR&T is the institute saddled with maize production mandate in South-west Nigeria and the institute has already set machinery in motion to control the menace.”

For more information and everything agriculture, Visit: www.agricnation.com

Follow us on all social media, Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn: @AgricNation

Spray your maize plant with pesticides immediately you see holes in the leaves, or better still, examine the plants randomly on a daily basis for the pest. The 'disease' is actually caused by a greenish yellow butterfly larva (caterpillar) that sits in the junction of the new leaves during the day time and chews the young leaves at night. Once it is allowed to eat the new leaves, the maize plant becomes stunted and no longer fruits properly, so one has to apply the pesticide very quickly. It seems that the lack of heavy rains are allowing these pests to thrive, since two or three episodes of heavy rainfall wash them away, but delaying the pesticide application while waiting for the rains to fall will stunt the crop.

lalasticlala move to HQ before we start maize lamentation...