A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (<i>Spodoptera Frugiperda</i>) in Ethiopian Maize (<i>Zea Mays</i>) Production

Dinku Atnafu; Zemed Wobale

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production

Dinku Atnafu^*

, Zemed Wobale

Published in Journal of Plant Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 2 September 2025 Accepted: 7 October 2025 Published: 7 November 2025

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Abstract

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest first reported in Ethiopia in 2017, has emerged one of the most serious threats to maize production. Its high reproductive potential, polyphagous, and rapid spreading capacity has led to substantial crop loss and economic damage in Ethiopia. Reliance on existing pest management strategies based on synthetic insecticides are proving increasingly unsustainable due to the costs, pest resistance, access to crop protection products, and environmental damage associated with pesticides. Push-pull technology (PPT) has emerged as an agroecological innovation based on cropping maize with repellent intercrops (e.g. Desmodium species) and trap crops (e.g. Brachiaria or Napier grass) can also help partially draw and trap FAW to some extent. Recent evidence (within the 2020 to 2025 period) indicated that PPT can reduce fall armyworm infestation, reduce crop loss/damage, effectively promote natural enemy populations, improve soil health/quality, and increase household resilience. This review presents evidence from Ethiopia and more broadly across East Africa to disentangle mechanisms and pathways for effectively (and ineffectively) implementing PPT in Ethiopian maize systems. The review highlighted the potential for PPT in Ethiopia for sustainable fall armyworm management but acknowledged the need for strengthened institutional support, improved seed systems, and better integration into climate-smart agricultural pathways to facilitate future adoption.

Published in	Journal of Plant Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
Page(s)	201-209
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Push-Pull Technology, Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda), Maize Production, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Ethiopia

References

[1]	Sobhy, M., Midega, C., Khan, Z., et al. (2022). Push–Pull Technology for Pest Management in East Africa: Principles, Mechanisms, and Socio-Ecological Impacts. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 13(1), 45–67.
[2]	FAO. (2024). Fall Armyworm Management in Ethiopia: Lessons from Push–Pull Technology. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization.
[3]	ICIPE. (2023). Push–Pull Technology for Maize Systems: Adoption, Scaling, and Climate-Smart Adaptations. Nairobi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
[4]	Abro, S., Tesfaye, A., and Alemayehu, K. (2021). Maize Production and Food Security in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 31(2), 101–118.
[5]	Sileshi, Y., Tadesse, M., and Gebre, A. (2025). Socio-Economic Impacts of Fall Armyworm on Ethiopian Smallholders. African Crop Science Journal, 33(4), 289–305.
[6]	Sime, T., Gebre, H., and Kebede, A. (2024). Integrated Management of Fall Armyworm in Northern Ethiopia: Field Trials and Socioeconomic Perspectives. Crop Protection, 167, 105412.
[7]	Icipe. (2023). Biology and Feeding Behavior of Fall Armyworm in East Africa. Nairobi: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
[8]	Gugissa, G., Abebe, T., and Desta, H. (2022). Economic Losses and Control Measures of Fall Armyworm in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Crop Protection, 10(1), 12–28.
[9]	Khan, Z., Midega, C., and Pickett, J. (2020). Chemical Ecology of Push–Pull Technology: Mechanisms of Pest Suppression. Entomological Experimentalis et Applicant, 168(3), 225–241.
[10]	Khan, Z., Midega, C., and Pickett, J. (2021). Advances in Push–Pull Technology for Sustainable Agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 310, 107314.
[11]	Midega, C., Khan, Z., and Pickett, J. (2018). Enhancing Maize Productivity Through Push–Pull Technology in East Africa. Field Crops Research, 221, 1–10.
[12]	Kebede, A., Tadesse, M., and Alemayehu, K. (2022). Evaluating Agroecological Innovations for Smallholder Maize Systems in Ethiopia. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 46(5), 625–644.
[13]	Tadele, Z., Gebre, H., and Abro, S. (2023). Climate-Smart Adaptation of Push–Pull Technology in Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 15(2), 99–118.
[14]	Gebreziher, G., and Gebreazgaabher, T. (2024). Crop Physiology and Soil Health Improvements Under Push–Pull Technology. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 34(1), 55–73.

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Atnafu, D., Wobale, Z. (2025). A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. Journal of Plant Sciences, 13(6), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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ACS Style

Atnafu, D.; Wobale, Z. A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. J. Plant Sci. 2025, 13(6), 201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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AMA Style

Atnafu D, Wobale Z. A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. J Plant Sci. 2025;13(6):201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11,
  author = {Dinku Atnafu and Zemed Wobale},
  title = {A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production
},
  journal = {Journal of Plant Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {201-209},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jps.20251306.11},
  abstract = {The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest first reported in Ethiopia in 2017, has emerged one of the most serious threats to maize production. Its high reproductive potential, polyphagous, and rapid spreading capacity has led to substantial crop loss and economic damage in Ethiopia. Reliance on existing pest management strategies based on synthetic insecticides are proving increasingly unsustainable due to the costs, pest resistance, access to crop protection products, and environmental damage associated with pesticides. Push-pull technology (PPT) has emerged as an agroecological innovation based on cropping maize with repellent intercrops (e.g. Desmodium species) and trap crops (e.g. Brachiaria or Napier grass) can also help partially draw and trap FAW to some extent. Recent evidence (within the 2020 to 2025 period) indicated that PPT can reduce fall armyworm infestation, reduce crop loss/damage, effectively promote natural enemy populations, improve soil health/quality, and increase household resilience. This review presents evidence from Ethiopia and more broadly across East Africa to disentangle mechanisms and pathways for effectively (and ineffectively) implementing PPT in Ethiopian maize systems. The review highlighted the potential for PPT in Ethiopia for sustainable fall armyworm management but acknowledged the need for strengthened institutional support, improved seed systems, and better integration into climate-smart agricultural pathways to facilitate future adoption.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production

AU  - Dinku Atnafu
AU  - Zemed Wobale
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
T2  - Journal of Plant Sciences
JF  - Journal of Plant Sciences
JO  - Journal of Plant Sciences
SP  - 201
EP  - 209
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0731
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
AB  - The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest first reported in Ethiopia in 2017, has emerged one of the most serious threats to maize production. Its high reproductive potential, polyphagous, and rapid spreading capacity has led to substantial crop loss and economic damage in Ethiopia. Reliance on existing pest management strategies based on synthetic insecticides are proving increasingly unsustainable due to the costs, pest resistance, access to crop protection products, and environmental damage associated with pesticides. Push-pull technology (PPT) has emerged as an agroecological innovation based on cropping maize with repellent intercrops (e.g. Desmodium species) and trap crops (e.g. Brachiaria or Napier grass) can also help partially draw and trap FAW to some extent. Recent evidence (within the 2020 to 2025 period) indicated that PPT can reduce fall armyworm infestation, reduce crop loss/damage, effectively promote natural enemy populations, improve soil health/quality, and increase household resilience. This review presents evidence from Ethiopia and more broadly across East Africa to disentangle mechanisms and pathways for effectively (and ineffectively) implementing PPT in Ethiopian maize systems. The review highlighted the potential for PPT in Ethiopia for sustainable fall armyworm management but acknowledged the need for strengthened institutional support, improved seed systems, and better integration into climate-smart agricultural pathways to facilitate future adoption.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Dinku Atnafu

Department of Plant Science, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-0159-9779
Zemed Wobale

Department of Plant Science, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Atnafu, D., Wobale, Z. (2025). A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. Journal of Plant Sciences, 13(6), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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ACS Style

Atnafu, D.; Wobale, Z. A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. J. Plant Sci. 2025, 13(6), 201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

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AMA Style

Atnafu D, Wobale Z. A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production. J Plant Sci. 2025;13(6):201-209. doi: 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11,
  author = {Dinku Atnafu and Zemed Wobale},
  title = {A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production
},
  journal = {Journal of Plant Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {201-209},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jps.20251306.11},
  abstract = {The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest first reported in Ethiopia in 2017, has emerged one of the most serious threats to maize production. Its high reproductive potential, polyphagous, and rapid spreading capacity has led to substantial crop loss and economic damage in Ethiopia. Reliance on existing pest management strategies based on synthetic insecticides are proving increasingly unsustainable due to the costs, pest resistance, access to crop protection products, and environmental damage associated with pesticides. Push-pull technology (PPT) has emerged as an agroecological innovation based on cropping maize with repellent intercrops (e.g. Desmodium species) and trap crops (e.g. Brachiaria or Napier grass) can also help partially draw and trap FAW to some extent. Recent evidence (within the 2020 to 2025 period) indicated that PPT can reduce fall armyworm infestation, reduce crop loss/damage, effectively promote natural enemy populations, improve soil health/quality, and increase household resilience. This review presents evidence from Ethiopia and more broadly across East Africa to disentangle mechanisms and pathways for effectively (and ineffectively) implementing PPT in Ethiopian maize systems. The review highlighted the potential for PPT in Ethiopia for sustainable fall armyworm management but acknowledged the need for strengthened institutional support, improved seed systems, and better integration into climate-smart agricultural pathways to facilitate future adoption.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review of Push-Pull Technology's Effect on the Management of Fall Armyworms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Ethiopian Maize (Zea Mays) Production

AU  - Dinku Atnafu
AU  - Zemed Wobale
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
T2  - Journal of Plant Sciences
JF  - Journal of Plant Sciences
JO  - Journal of Plant Sciences
SP  - 201
EP  - 209
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0731
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.11
AB  - The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest first reported in Ethiopia in 2017, has emerged one of the most serious threats to maize production. Its high reproductive potential, polyphagous, and rapid spreading capacity has led to substantial crop loss and economic damage in Ethiopia. Reliance on existing pest management strategies based on synthetic insecticides are proving increasingly unsustainable due to the costs, pest resistance, access to crop protection products, and environmental damage associated with pesticides. Push-pull technology (PPT) has emerged as an agroecological innovation based on cropping maize with repellent intercrops (e.g. Desmodium species) and trap crops (e.g. Brachiaria or Napier grass) can also help partially draw and trap FAW to some extent. Recent evidence (within the 2020 to 2025 period) indicated that PPT can reduce fall armyworm infestation, reduce crop loss/damage, effectively promote natural enemy populations, improve soil health/quality, and increase household resilience. This review presents evidence from Ethiopia and more broadly across East Africa to disentangle mechanisms and pathways for effectively (and ineffectively) implementing PPT in Ethiopian maize systems. The review highlighted the potential for PPT in Ethiopia for sustainable fall armyworm management but acknowledged the need for strengthened institutional support, improved seed systems, and better integration into climate-smart agricultural pathways to facilitate future adoption.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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