Potential threat of bruchids on soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: PAWLOWSKI, MICHELLE - University Of Illinois; Lagos-Kutz, Doris; DA FONSECA SANTOS, MICHELLE - University Of Illinois; LEE, NICOLE - University Of Illinois; CHIGEZA, GODFREE - International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); NACHILIMA , CHRISTABELL - International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); FRANCISCHINI, JOSY H.M.B. - University Of Illinois; Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2021
Publication Date: 7/12/2021
Citation: Pawlowski, M.L., Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Da Fonseca Santos, M., Lee, N., Chigeza, G., Nachilima, C., Francischini, J., Hartman, G.L. 2021. Potential threat of bruchids on soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Plant Health Progress. 22:86-91. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-10-20-0093-MR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-10-20-0093-MR

Interpretive Summary: Soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has increased in recent years. Several abiotic and biotic stresses decrease yield, including pathogens and pests that attack seed. While evaluating seed lots bruchids (also known as seed weevils) and/or bruchid damaged seed were found in Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique, and Rwanda with the most severe damage and infestation in Bwanje, Malawi with 28 of the 40 seed lots infested. Adult bruchids discovered at the Bwanje location were identified as Callosobruchus chinensis. Bruchids are a destructive storage pest of legumes and monitoring the different species attacking soybean will help researchers and producers understand the potential threat of bruchids to soybean production in SSA as well as help implement the best management practices. This work is important to the seed industry, scientists, seed technologists and growers that may need to know more about soybean seed bruchids.

Technical Abstract: Soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been increasing in recent years in part due to the efforts of several national and international research agencies, including the Soybean Innovation Laboratory (SIL). SIL’s mission to increase utilization and production of soybean in SSA has led to several facets of research including cultivar development to increase yield through the Pan-African Soybean Variety Trials (PAT). Several abiotic and biotic stresses can decrease yield, including pathogens and pests that attack seed. While evaluating seed lots from 30 PAT locations, we identified bruchids and/or bruchid damaged seed in nine locations in four countries (Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique, and Rwanda) with the most severe damage and infestation in Bwanje, Malawi with 28 of the 40 seed lots infested. Seed damage ranged from 0.6-100% (7.9% average) among the 28 infested seed lots. Adult bruchids discovered at the Bwanje location were identified as Callosobruchus chinensis, or the Chinese bruchid. No adults were found in other locations. Bruchids are a destructive storage pest of legumes and monitoring the different species attacking soybean will help researchers and producers understand the potential threat of bruchids to soybean production in SSA as well as help implement the best management practices.