Biology, Ecology, and Management Strategies of Pests (Insects and Vetebrate) Associated with Cultivated Field Pea (Pisum sativum Linn) in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

This chapter aimed to determine the incidence and identify pests of field pea in major growing areas of Nigeria. Pulses are important legume crops grown all over the world and are a good source of plant proteins for humans and act as natural soil fertilizers with the capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Pisum sativum is commonly called field pea which belongs to the Family Fabaceae. Field survey was carried out on insect and vertebrate pests infesting the crop in both irrigated and rain-fed fields in northern guinea savanna, Nigeria. The percentage incidence of pest’s infestation was calculated for each sampling location. Identification of the pests was done using identification keys. Shika dam has the highest percentage incidence of insects with 60% followed by Katanga, Zangon danbarno and Rapiyam fan with 20% while Razek fan has 15 %. Sabuwa has the least with 10%. Cereals, Tomato, pepper were found to be grown either intercropped or adjacent field pea farms in both irrigated and rain- fed fields which suggest possible transfer of the insect and also the use of surface irrigation may have served as source of transmission of the insects. A total of six insect pests were identified from the six different sampling locations (Spodoptera exigua Hwan, Spodoptera exempta Walk, Heliocoverpa armigera Hubn, Etiella zinckenella Trerischk, Tetranychus urticae and Caliothrips sp.) and one mammal (Rattus sp.). Tetranychus sp. and Caliothrips sp. continue up to the podding stage, however all insect pests are more destructive during the seedling stage. It is advised that farmers engage in solitary cropping and refrain from intercropping with susceptible hosts.