Open Access Library Journal, 2014, 1, 1-5
Published Online May 2014 in OALib. http://www.oalib.com/journal
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1100369
How to cite this paper: Agegnehu, E. and Medhin, Z.G. (2014) Demonstration of Apron Star 42 WS Seed Dressing Chemical
against Cutworm (Agrotis segtum) on Chickpea Using Farmer Research Group Approach at Dembia Woreda, North Gondar,
Ethiopia. Open Access Library Journal, 1: e369. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1100369
Demonstration of Apron Star 42 WS Seed
Dressing Chemical against Cutworm (Agrotis
segtum) on Chickpea using Farmer Research
Group Approach at Dembia Woreda, North
Gondar, Ethiopia
Eshetu Agegnehu*, Zenebe G. M edhin
Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Received 2 January 2014; revised 18 March 2014; accepted 9 April 2014
Copyright © 2014 by authors and OALib.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Abstract
Ethiopia is the largest chickpea growing country in Africa. Most of the chickpea production is used
for domestic consumption as well as for substantial export. However, the national average grain
yield in Ethiopia has remained extremely low and owing to different biological and physical con-
straints. Among these, insect pests have special influence on low level of production and produc-
tivity. Cutworm (Agrotis spp.) is one of the important pests of chickpea during seedling stage in
Ethiopia and feed on the roots during the day and at night move up to the soil surface and attack
seedlings. The trial was conducted in farmer’s field with supplementary irrigation at Guramba
Michael locality of Dembia district since 2010 to evaluate and determine the efficacy of Apron Star
42 WS seed dressing chemical against cutworm during seedling stage of the crop. The research
was followed Farmer Research Group approach to evaluate the intervention based on evaluation
criteria of farmers. The experiment was initiated with two treatments such as seeds treated with
Apron star 42 WS and seeds not treated with Apron Star 42 WS used as control. Arerti improved
chickpea variety was used for each treatment and tested by using simple paired comparison de-
sign. Plot size was 10 m × 10 m use. Plot received seeds treated with Apron Star chemical showed
early seedlings emergence, vigorous growth, deep green leaves and stout stem with large number
of branches as well as large number of seedlings 15 days after emerged (28 per meter square) and
least number of damaged plants by cutworm (3 per meter square). However, Plot received seeds
not treated with Apron Star chemical showed late seedlings emergence, slow growth, yellowish
leaves and week stem with less number of branches as well as least number of seedlings 15 days
after emerged (17 per meter square) and large number of damaged plants by cutworm (10 per
*
Corresponding author.

E. Agegnehu, Z. G. Medhin
2
meter square). Both treatments were not shown significant differences in the case of stand count-
ing at emergence and number of plants attacked by wilt root rot disease. Most members of the
Farmer Research Group indicated that the improved variety, the seed dressing chemical and the
research approach used for evaluation of the intervention were very attractive and useful for
chickpea growers where the cutworm is the major bottleneck. Therefore, using seeds treated with
Apron star 42 WS seed dressing chemical was effective for the control of cutworm as well as suita-
ble for practicing early sowing time of chickpea to get enough yields.
Keywords
Cutworm, Chickpea, Apron Star, Farmer Research Group, Demonstration
1. Introduction
Ethiopia is the largest chickpea growing country in Africa, with a share of about 37% in area and 48% in pro-
duction. During 2003/2004, Ethiopia produced 195,800 tons of chickpea from an area of 176,554 ha [1].
Most of the chickpea production is used for domestic consumption. However, there has been a substantial
export of chickpea by Ethiopia during the past five years, with the highest of 48,549 t (valued at US$14.7 mil-
lion) during 2002 [1]. The crop is widely grown in over 24 districts of the country that contain deep black soils
and is highly preferred by cash-constrained farmers who cannot afford to buy commercial fertilizers for cereals
that are rotated with chickpeas. The major growing areas in th e country includ e Easter n Showa, W estern Show a,
Gondar, Gojjam and Welo. This makes the crop highly integrated into the farming system and highly ecologi-
cally friendly for growing in many areas that suffer from soil nutrient depletion. However, the national average
grain yield in Ethiopia has remained extremely low 0.6 - 0.8 t/ha and owing to different biological and physical
constraints [2].
The major constraints attached with chickpea production are inherently low grain-yielding potentials of indi-
genous/local chickpea cultivars including susceptibility to biotic and a biotic stresses. Poor crop management
and cultural practices followed by growers. Among these above mentioned factors, insect pests have special in-
fluence on low level of production and productivity. Pod borer and cutworm are common insect pests on chick-
pea in East Africa and India [3]. Five species of Agrotis are known in Ethiopia, these are A. ipsilon (Hufn), A.
segtum (Schiff) and A. spinifera (Hbn.). A. segtum and A. ipsilon are the commonest cutworm in South and Nor-
thern Ethiopia resp ectiv ely [4]. Agrotis spps. are important pests of many crops during establishment in Ethiopia
[5]. They feed on the roots during the day and at night move up to the soil surface and attack seedlings. The ma-
ture larva is 3 - 4 cm long and pupates in the soil. The pupa is about 2 cm long, smooth, and shiny brown, it has
two spines at the tip of the abdomen [6]. Mostly lately so wn crops are exposed to cutworm damage . Larvae live
in the soil and emerge nightly to feed on plant material above ground [7]. The small caterpillars eat portion of
the leaves and stems but larger larvae may chew through the stems, often falling the plant at ground level and
killing the plants. The damage is severe because the stem is succulent when the incidence is at peak level. How-
ever, farmers adopted late planting because of escaping from water logging, physiological wilting and the oc-
currence of Fusarium wilt-root complex problems. Late planting leads to scarcity of water during grain filling
stage of the crop via decreases the quality of seed (Shriveled seed). Therefore, Apron Star has dual purpose for
preventing wilt-root complex disease as well as controlling cutworm, because by nature, Apron Star 42 WS has
both fungicidal and insecticidal properties. This chemical also important to avoid the shortage of moisture oc-
curring dur ing late s tag e (flow er ing u p to matur ity) of the cr op i. e. it promotes early planting of chickpea as well
as reducing moisture stress, diseases and cutworm problems. The present study, therefore intended to determine
the efficacy of Apron Star 42 WS against cutworm.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Experimental Materials and Research Procedures
The study was conducted in Dembia district at Guramba Michael locality, North Gondar zone where cutworm is
the major constraint of chickpea growers since 2010 by using irrigation. The site was selected by participating

E. Agegnehu, Z. G. Medhin
3
and consulting Dembia District Agricultural and Rural Development Office’s experts who are concerned on
field crop production. The research was conducted in farmer’s field by using irrigation. The first activity done
before implementing the research was establishing the Farmer Research Group with the help of Development
Agents of the locality. The Farmer Research Group has 25 farmers, out of these 20 males and 5 females. Three
farmers were selected to assist the Farmer Research Group as leader, meeting coordinator and secretary. Mem-
bers of Farmer Research Group was selected based on voluntariness, active participants in crop production
(Model farmers); farmers have a lot of experience on chickpea production and protection as well as by consi-
dering the criterions raised by Development Agents of the localit y .
Two treatments were used for this experiment such as Seeds treated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing
chemical and seeds not tre ated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical (c ontrol) and arranged by simple
paired comparison. Arerti chick pea improved variety was used for this research and the variety was collected
from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center. The rate of chemical applied for seed treatment was 3.75 grams
based on the recommended rate of 2 50 g ra ms per 100 kil ograms of see ds . The amount of se e d wa s 1.5 kilogra ms
for each treatment based on the recommended rate of 150 kilograms per hectare. Plot size of 10 m × 10 m was
used for each treatment and plots were 2 meters apart from each other. Three times weeding were carried out.
Application of water through irrigation was done based on the environment, stages of the crop and soil type.
Seeds were treated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical by using plastic bag. Seeds mixed with the
chemical in plastic bag and shacked vigorously for 10 minutes by applying small amount of water until well the
seeds treated or dressed with the chemical and dried the treated seeds for short period by using sun radiation to
enhance the attachment of the seeds with chemical as well as to prolong the shelf life of the treated seeds. Seeds
were sown two days after treated with chemical. Both treated and untreated seeds were sown in well prepared
and moisten land by using broad casting method of sowing at the same time. The Farmer Research Group’s
members participated actively during site selection, land preparation, seed treatment, sowing time, at emergency
of the seedlings, at vegetative stages of the crop and data collection. Every 15 days, The Farmer Research
Group’s members were meet together for monitoring, evaluation, and discussing about the agronomic and pro-
tection aspects of the treated and untreated treatments. The farmers carried out the research work under the
guidance of researchers.
2.2. Data Collection
Stand counting at emergence, Stand counting at 15 days after emerged, Number of plants damaged by cutworm
per plot and counting of wilted/dried plants per plot were collected by using 1 m × 1 m (1 square meter) sized
quadrant. Data of all above mentioned parameters were collected by means of throwing the quadrant randomly
in the field. Different Samples taken by walking in zigzag direction and counted the sampled areas of the plot.
Diseased plants counted every 15 days after seedlings emerged for three times and the counted diseased plants
discarded from the plot. Farmer perceptions and feedbacks about the overall activities of the research were col-
lected
2.3. Germination Test
Germination boll, sand and water were used to test the germination capacity of seeds treated with Apron Star 42
WS and seeds not treated with Apron Star 42 WS (control) of the same variety, Arerti, with the help of North
Gondar Zone Seed Laboratory Office. Every three days, both treatments were observed until most of the seeds
germinated.
2.4. Stakeholders Participated and Their Roles
Gondar Agricultural Research Center was participated during selection of improved chickpea variety which
is suitable and adapted for Dembia district and gave technical advice about Farmer Research Group based re-
search.
Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre is collaborated by provided Arerti improved chickpea variety as
well as gave manuals which are focused on chickpea crop production and protection.
North Gondar Zone Seed Laboratory Office gave technical support to test the germination capacity of the
Apron star 42 WS chemical treated seed and untreated seeds of Arerti improved chickpea variety.

E. Agegnehu, Z. G. Medhin
4
Dembia District Agricultural and Rural Development Office participated actively and played a great role
for the successes of the research by undertaken the following activities:
• Site selection (by considering hot spot areas of cutworm)
• Variety selection
• Recruiting Farmer Research Group me mber s
• Assigning leaders and coordinators of the Farmer Research Group membe rs
• Developing rules and regulations for administration of the Farm er Research Group
• Coordinating and facilitating land preparation and irrigation acces s
• Facilitating capacity building activities and field visit
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Field Experiment
Evaluation of results found in this research was considered by observing and comparing the two treatments in
perspective of agronomic and crop protection features. Seeds treated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing
chemical showed seedlings with features such as early emergence, vigorous growth, very deep green leaves,
short and stout stem and large number of branches originated from the main stem. There was no significance
difference on number of seedlings/stand count/ at emergence between two treatments. However, large number of
seedlings (28 per m2) 15 days after emerged as well as least number of seedlings damaged/infested/ by cut-
worm (3 per m2)and attacked by Fusarium wilt-root rot complex disease (2 per m2) recorded from plot sown
with seeds treated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical “Table 1”. Plot sown with seeds not treated
with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical showed seedlings with features such as a little bit late emergen-
cy, slower growth, yellowish leaves, little bit long and delicate stem and small (weak) number of branches ori-
ginated from the main stem. Least number of seedlings 15 days after emerged (17 per m2), large number of
seedlings damaged/infested/by cutworm (10 per m2), a little bit more(no significance difference) number of
plants attacked by Fusarium wilt-root rot complex disease (4 per m2) was recorded from control as compared to
the treated one “Table 1”. No significance difference between two treatments in the case of disease damage or
attack because of the nature of the research i.e. it was carried out by irrigation and there was no excess moisture
which is aggravated Fusarium wilt-root disease especially common in main season of chickpea cultivation. All
the above mentioned research findings evaluated by Farmer Research Group together with researchers.
3.2. Laboratory Results
Based on the activities carried out in the seed laboratory, both treated (Apron Star 42 WS) and untreated seeds
(control) showed 85% and 87% seed germination respectively as well as 7 and 6 days taken to germinate all
seeds after inserted into moisten sand respectively. The economic aspect of the chemical was not conducted in
this experiment due to the nature of the study i.e. it was only focused on vegetative stages of the crop. Therefore,
it is difficult to analyze the economical feasibility o f the Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemicals.
3.3. Farmers’ Perception and Evaluations
Most farmers appreciated the research approaches followed as well as they are actively participated from site
selection up to the end of evaluation of the research. Majority of members of the Farmer Research Group indi-
Table 1. Comparison of results obtained from the treated and untreated treatments.
Treatments Average number of plants counted at
emergence per m2
Average number of
plants counted after
emerged per m2
Average number of
plants damaged by
cutworm per m2
Average number of plants
Attacked by wilt-root rot
disease per m2
Seeds treated with
Apron Star 42 WS 33 28 3 2
Seeds not treated with
Apron Star 42 WS
(control) 31 17 10 4

E. Agegnehu, Z. G. Medhin
5
cated that the improved variety (Arerti), the seed dressing chemicals (Apron Star 42 WS) and techniques used
for conducting and evaluating the research were very attractive and useful for chickpea growers especially
where the cutworm and Fusarium wilt-root rot complex disease are major bottleneck for chickpea production.
Most members of the Farmer Research Group commented that this research should be repeated in the main
growing season of chickpea because most chickpea growers using residual soil moisture especially at the last
days of August to the first 15 days of September to cultivate chickpea and this time of sowing is perceived as
important to avoid problems related with germination due to high moisture and wilt-root rot complex disease.
However, the major problems in related with farmers sowing time are the moisture stress during flowering and
grain filling stages of the crop. Therefore, farmers are appreciated this seed dressing chemicals for alleviating
moisture stress occurring during flowering and grain filling stages of the crops by sowing seeds dressed with
Apron Star 42 WS at the first days of August with using water drainage techniques like Broad Bed Making
(BBM) farm implements or using different type of tillage which are important for draining of excess moisture
from chickpea field. Suggestion forwarded by majority of the Farmer Research Group’s members indicated that
this type of research approach and technologies should be undertaken for other crops like fenugreek and grass
pea.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
Our present data are not yet conclusiv e and since there is little in formation on th is important ins ect pest and its
management method as well as research approach. There is a need to investigate further management methods
and approaches. However, based on the overall results of experiment, the criterion used for evaluation of the re -
search conducted by the members of Farmer Research Group and their findings indicated that chickpea seeds
treated with Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing chemical showed better performance against cut worm as com-
pared to the untreated one at early stage of the crop. Thus, it can be safely recommended as protection method
against cutworm for chickpea growing areas of the study site and around it in the district as well as promoting
early sowing time to reducing moisture stress occurring during late stages of the crop.
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted at Dembia District, and was funded by JICA-Ethiopia.
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