Christopher's research explores the potential of using indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) as biological control agents in integrated pest management. Fall armyworms are used as a model insect pest.
Main take-aways of his research:
- Sustainable smallholder farming systems in Nigeria continue to face severe insect pest pressure and heavy reliance on chemical insecticides. This highlights the need for sustainable alternatives.
- The study surveyed 740 farmers across ten states, combining socioeconomic, biological, and ecological components. It found low awareness but strong interest in training, with cost and availability identified as key barriers.
- Six nematode isolates native to the soil were identified. Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora demonstrated high virulence against early larval stages and strong ecological fitness under varying temperature, moisture, and stress conditions.
- This research established the first comprehensive, data-driven basis for developing entomopathogene nematodes (EPN)-based biological control of insect pests in Nigeria.
- It outlined a pathway for integrating EPNs into sustainable insect pest management by identifying effective isolates, assessing their ecological suitability, and understanding farmer perceptions. This serves as a foundation for developing cost-effective, field-tested solutions that are biologically sound, economically feasible, and institutionally supported.
- This suggests a promising alignment of farmer readiness, confirmed virulence, and environmental adaptability for integrating locally sourced biological control agents into Nigerian pest management systems.
