Pesticidal Plants Used in Masaka District of Uganda

Abstract

The use of synthetic pesticides in developing countries is limited by both the high cost of procuring them and predominance of subsistence holdings. Resultantly, many farmers have to rely on traditi onal methods of pest control. Among these is the use of pesticidal plant extracts and this paper reports on the fi ndings of a study that undertook to compile an inventory of plants that are used in pest control in one part of the developing world, namely, Masaka District of Uganda. The paper reports that the study found that thirty-six (36) plant species are used. Thirty-fi ve (3 ) of these were found to belong to twenty-one (21) families. The paper adds that, of these, the Asteraceae family is the most commonly used followed by the Solanaceae family. It was noted that although some of the plants are scienti fi cally well established (e.g. Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, and Tagetes minuta), a few are not well known (e.g. Euphorbia tirucalli, Bidens pilosa, Vernonia amygdalina), hence the need for research on them. Finally, it was established that some of the plants are increasingly rare,
which highlights need for their conservati on.

Key words: Pest Control; Pesticidal Plants; Indigenous Knowledge