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Push–pull agricultural pest management
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<p>Push–pull technology is an <a href="/facts/Intercropping/AXChXkSL">intercropping</a> strategy for <a href="/facts/Biological_pest_control/khkjgaQw">controlling agricultural pests</a> by using repellent "push" plants and <a href="/facts/Trap_crop/17soXqnB">trap "pull" plants</a>. For example, <a href="/facts/Cereal/ao2WcFdM">cereal crops</a> like <a href="/facts/Maize/lJ6c5xMH">maize</a> or <a href="/facts/Sorghum/D1KNhtdT">sorghum</a> are often infested by <a href="/facts/Ostrinia/gEapak3T">stem borers</a>. Grasses planted around the perimeter of the crop attract and trap the pests, whereas other plants, like <i><a href="/facts/Desmodium/9QsAbwt2">Desmodium</a></i>, planted between the rows of maize, repel the pests and control the parasitic plant <i><a href="/facts/Striga_(plant)/dA37uy6s">Striga</a></i>. Push–pull technology was developed at the <a href="/facts/ICIPE/TAxEmnIQ">International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology</a> (ICIPE) in Kenya in collaboration with <a href="/facts/Rothamsted_Experimental_Station/IkxPnlCd">Rothamsted Research</a>, UK. and national partners. This technology has been taught to <a href="/facts/Smallholding/uvmaq8zy">smallholder</a> farmers through collaborations with universities, NGOs and national research organizations. </p>