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Scientific Publications

  1. Midega, C.A., Pittchar, J., Salifu, D., Pickett, J.A., and Khan, Z.R., 2013. Effects of mulching, N-fertilization and intercropping with Desmodium uncinatum on Striga hermonthica infestation in maize. Crop Protection 44: 44–49

  2. Magalhães, D.M., Borges, M., Laumann, R.A., Sujii, E.R., Mayon, P., Caulfield, J.C., Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Birkett, M.A., Blassioli-Moraes, M.C., 2012. Semiochemicals from herbivory induced cotton plants enhance the foraging behavior of the cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 38: 1528-1538

  3. Kifuko-Koech, M., Pypers, P., Okalebo, J.R., Othieno, C.O., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Kipkoech, A.K., Vanlauwe, B., 2012. The impact of Desmodium spp. and cutting regimes on the agronomic and economic performance of Desmodium–maize intercropping system in western Kenya. Field Crops Research 137: 97–107

  4. Midega, C.A.O., Nyang’au, I.M., Pittchar, J., Birkett, M.A., Pickett, J.A., Borges, M., Khan, Z.R., 2012. Farmers’ perceptions of cotton pests and their management in western Kenya. Crop Protection 42: 193-201

  5. Murage, A.W., Obare, G., Chianu, J., Amudavi, D.M., Midega, C.A.O., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2012: The Effectiveness of Dissemination Pathways on Adoption of “Push-Pull” Technology in Western Kenya. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture 51:1, 51-71.

  6. Lebesa, L.N., Khan, Z.R., Kruger, K., Bruce, T.J.A, Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A, 2012. Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of blister beetles, Hycleus spp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae), as pest herbivores of Desmodium legumes in Western Kenya. International Journal of Pest Management 58: 165-174.

  7. Tamiru, A., Bruce, T., Midega, C.A.O, Woodcock, C.M., Birkett, M., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2012. Oviposition-induced volatile emissions from African smallholder farmers’ maize varieties. Journal of Chemical Ecology 38: 231-234.

  8. Pickett, J.A., Gudbjorg, A., Birkett, M., Bruce, T., Chamberlain, K., Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Smart, L., Woodcock, C.M., 2012. Aspects of insect chemical ecology: exploitation of reception and detection as tools for deception of pests and beneficial insects. Physiological Entomology 37:2-9.

  9. Obura, E., Masiga, D., Midega, C.A.O., Otim, M., Wachira, F., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2011. Hyparrhenia grass white leaf disease, associated with a 16SrXI phytoplasma, newly reported in Kenya. New Disease Reports 24: 17.

  10. Koji, S., Fujinuma, S., Midega, C.A.O., Mohamed, H.M., Ishikawa, T., Wilson, M.R., Asche, M., Degelo, S., Adati, T., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2012. Seasonal abundance of Maiestas banda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of phytoplasma, and other leafhoppers and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) associated with Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in Kenya. Journal of Pest Science 85: 37-46.

  11. Tamiru, A., Bruce, T.J.A., Woodcock, C.M., Caulfield, J.C., Midega, C.A.O., Ogol, C.K.P.O., Mayon, P., Birkett, M.A., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2011. Maize landraces recruit egg and larval parasitoids in response to egg deposition by a herbivore. Ecology Letters 14: 1075–1083. (The winner of 2011 GC Scholar Prize for the best published science paper )

  12. Murage, A. W., Obare, G., Chianu, J., Amudavi, D. M., Pickett, J. and Khan, Z. R. 2011. Duration analysis of technology adoption effects of dissemination pathways: A case of ‘Push–Pull’ technology for control of Striga weeds and stemborers in Western Kenya. Crop Protection. 30: 531-538. (First runner up of 2011 GC Scholar Prize for the best published science paper )

  13. Lebesa, L.N., Khan, Z.R., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., Bruce, T.J.A., Skeller, M.N., Krüger, K., 2011. Responses of the blister beetle Hycleus apicicornis to visual stimuli. Physiological Entomology 36: 220-229 (Second runner up of 2011 GC Scholar Prize for the best published science paper )

  14. Khan, Z., Midega, C., Pittchar, J., Pickett, J and Bruce, T. 2011. Push–pull technology: a conservation agriculture approach for integrated management of insect pests, weeds and soil health in Africa. UK government’s Foresight Food and Farming Futures Project. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 9: 162-170.

  15. Obura, E.,   Masiga, D., Wachira, F., Gurja, B. and Khan, Z. R. 2011. Detection of phytoplasma by loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA (LAMP).  Journal of Microbiological Methods 84: 312–316.

  16. Odhiambo, J. A., Vanlauwe, B., Tabu, I. M.,  Kanampiu, F. and  Khan, Z. R., 2011. Effect of intercropping maize and soybeans on Striga hermonthica parasitism and yield of maize. Arch. Phytopath. Plant Protection. 44: 158–167.

  17. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Nylin, S., 2011. Host plant selection behaviour of Chilo partellus and its implication for effectiveness of a trap crop. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 138, 40–47.

  18. Murage, A.W., Amudavi, D.M., Obare, G., Chianu, J., Midega, C.A.O., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2011. Determining smallholder farmers' preferences for technology dissemination pathways: the case of 'push-pull' technology in the control of stemborer and striga weeds in Kenya. International Journal of Pest Management 57: 133-145. (The winner of 2010 GC Scholar Prize for the best published science paper )

  19. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Bruce, T.J.A., Hooper, A.M., Pickett, J.A., 2010. Exploiting phytochemicals for developing a ‘push–pull’ crop protection strategy for cereal farmers in Africa. Journal of Experimental Botany 61: 4185–4196

  20. Pickett, J.A., Hamilton, M.L., Hooper, A.M., Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., 2010. Companion Cropping to Manage Parasitic Plants. Annual Review of Phytopathology 48: 161-177.

  21. De Groote, H., Vanlauwe, B., Rutto, E., Odhiambo, G., Kanampiu, F., Khan, Z.R., 2010. Economic analysis of different options in integrated pest and soil fertility management in maize systems of Western Kenya. Agricultural Economics 41: 471 - 482.

  22. De Groote, H., Rutto, E., Odhiambo, G., Kanampiu, F., Khan, Z.R., Coe, R. and Vanlauwe, B., 2010. Participatory evaluation of integrated pest and soil fertility management options using ordered categorical data analysis. Agricultural Systems 103: 233–244.

  23. Hooper, A.M., Tsanuo, M.K., Chamberlain, K., Tittcomb, K., Scholes, J., Hassanali, A., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., 2010. Isoschaftoside, a C-glycosylflavonoid from Desmodium uncinatum root exudate, is an allelochemical against the development of Striga. Phytochemistry 71: 904–908.

  24. Bruce, T.J.A., Midega, C.A.O., Birkett, M.A., Pickett, J.A., Khan, Z.R., 2010. Is quality more important than quantity? Insect behavioral responses to changes in a volatile blend after stemborer oviposition on an African grass. Biology Letters 6: 314–317.

  25. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., Amudavi, D.A., Pittchar, J. and Pickett, J.A., 2010. Integrated management of Striga hermonthica and cereal stemborers in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), through intercropping with Desmodium intortum. International Journal of Pest Management 56: 145–151

  26. Obura, E., Masiga, D., Midega, C.A.O., Wachira, F., Pickett, J.A., Deng, A.L. and Khan, Z.R., 2010. First report of a phytoplasma associated with Bermuda grass white leaf disease in Kenya. New Disease Reports 21: 23.

  27. Khan, Z. R., Midega, C. A. O., Wanyama, J. M., Amudavi, D. M., Hassanali, A., Pittchar,  J., and Pickett, J.A., 2009. Integration of edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) into the push–pull technology developed for stemborer and striga control in maize-based cropping systems. Crop Protection 28: 997-1006.

  28. Amudavi, D.M., Khan, Z.R., Wanyama, J.M., Midega, C.A.O., Pittchar, J., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., 2009. Evaluation of farmers’ field days as a dissemination tool for push–pull technology in Western Kenya. Crop Protection 28: 225–235.

  29. Amudavi, D.M., Khan, Z.R., Wanyama, J.M., Midega, C.A.O., Pittchar, J., Nyangau, I.M., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A.,  2009. Assessment of technical efficiency of farmer teachers in the uptake and dissemination of push–pull technology in Western Kenya. Crop Protection 28: 987-996.

  30. Obura, E., Midega,  C.A.O., Masiga, D., Pickett,  J.A., Hassan,  M. , Koji,  S., Khan, Z.R., 2009. Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Napier stunt phytoplasma in Kenya. Naturwissenschaften 96: 1169-1176

  31. Weisskopf, L., Akello, P., Milleret, R., Khan, Z. R., Schulthess, F., Gobat, J. and Le Bayon, R., 2009. White lupin leads to increased maize yield through a soil fertility-independent mechanism: a new candidate for fighting Striga hermonthica infestation? Plant and Soil 319: 101-114

  32. Hooper, A.M., Hassanali, A., Chamberlain, K., Khan, Z., Pickett, J.A. 2009. New genetic opportunities from legume intercrops for controlling Striga spp. parasitic weeds. Pest Management Science 65: 546–552

  33. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., Van den Berg, J., Ogol, C.K.P.O., Bruce, T.J., Pickett, J.A., 2009. Non-target effects of the ‘push–pull’ habitat management strategy: Parasitoid activity and soil fauna abundance. Crop Protection 28: 1045–1051.

  34. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Amudavi, D.M., Njuguna, E.M, Wanyama, J.W., Pickett, J.A., 2008. Economic performance of the 'push-pull' technology for stemborer and striga control in smallholder farming systems in western Kenya. Crop Protection 27: 1084-1097

  35. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Amudavi, D.M., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., 2008. On-farm evaluation of the 'push-pull' technology for the control of stemborers and striga weed on maize in western Kenya. Field Crops Research 106: 224-233.

  36. Khan, Z.R., Amudavi, D.M., Midega, C.A.O., Wanyama, J.W., Pickett, J.A., 2008. Farmers' perceptions of a 'push-pull' technology for control of cereal stemborers and striga weed in western Kenya. Crop Protection 27: 976-987.

  37. Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Hassanali, A., Hooper, A., Midega, C.A.O., 2008. Desmodium for controlling African witchweed: present and future prospects. Weed Research 48:302-306

  38. Hassanali, A., Herren, H., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Woodcock, C.M., 2008. Integrated pest management: the push–pull approach for controlling insect pests and weeds of cereals, and its potential for other agricultural systems including animal husbandry. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 363: 611-621.

  39. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., van den Berg, J., Ogol, C.K.P.O, Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S., Pickett, J.A.,  Wadhams, L.J., 2008. Response of ground dwelling arthropods to a ‘push-pull’ system and Bt-maize: spiders as an indicator group. Journal of Applied Entomology 132: 248-254

  40. Midega, C.A.O., van den Berg, J., Khan, Z.R., 2008. Potential role of habitat management in control of the spotted maize beetle, Astylus atromaculatus (Coleoptera: Melyridae) in maize under subsistence farming conditions in South Africa. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 24: 188-191.

  41. Vanlauwe, B., Kanampiu, F., Odhiambo, G.D., De Groote, H., Wadhams, L., Khan, Z.R., 2008.  Integrated management of Striga hermonthica, stemborers, and declining soil fertility in Western Kenya. Field Crops Research 107: 102-115.

  42. Khan, Z.R., James, D.G., Midega, C.A.O., Pickett, J.A., 2008. Chemical ecology and conservation biological control. Biological Control 45: 210-224.

  43. Cook, S.M., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., 2007. The use of ‘push-pull’ strategies in integrated pest management. Annual Review of Entomology 52: 375-400.

  44. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L.J., 2007. Assessment of Different Legumes for the Control of Striga hermonthica in Maize and Sorghum. Crop Science 47:730-734

  45. Koji, S., Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., 2007. Field boundaries of Panicum maximum as a reservoir for predators and a sink for Chilo partellus. Journal of Applied Entomology 131:186–196

  46. Mohamed, H.M., Khan, Z.R., Mueke, J.M., Hassanali, A, Kairu, E., Pickett, J.A., 2007. Behavior and biology of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) on Striga hermonthica infested and un-infested maize plants. Crop Protection 26: 998-1005

  47. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Wadhams, L.J., Pickett, J.A., Mumuni, A., 2007. Evaluation of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum ) varieties for use as trap plants for the management of African stemborer (Busseola fusca) in a push-pull strategy. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 124: 201-211.

  48. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Hutter, N.J., Wilkins, R.M. , Wadhams, L.J., 2006. Assessment of the potential of Napier grass Pennisetum purpureum Schumach varieties as trap plants for management of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 119:15-22

  49. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., van den Berg, J., Ogol, C.K.P.O., Pickett, J.A., 2006. Maize stemborer predator activity under ‘push-pull’ system and Bt-maize: A potential component in managing Bt resistance. International Journal of Pest Management 52:1-10

  50. Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L.J., Hassanali, A., Midega, C.A.O., 2006. Combined control of striga and stemborers in maize-Desmodium spp. intercrops. Crop Protection 25: 989-995.

  51. Chamberlain, K., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Toshova, T., Wadhams, L.J., 2006. Diel periodicity in the production of green leaf volatiles by wild and cultivated host plants of stemborer moths, Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32:565-577.

  52. Kalule, T., Khan, Z.R., Bigirwa, G., Alupo, J., Okanya, S., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L.J., 2006. Farmers’perceptions of importance, control practices and alternative hosts of maize stemborers in Uganda. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 26: 71-77.

  53. Birkett, M.A., Chamberlain, K., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Toshova, T., Wadhams, L.J., Woodcock, C.M., 2006. Electrophysiological responses of the lepidopterous stemborers Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca to the volatiles from wild and cultivated host plants. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32: 2475-2487

  54. Khan, Z.R., Midega, C.A.O., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L.J., Wanjoya, A., 2006. Management of witchweed, Striga hermonthica, and stemborers in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, through intercropping with greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum. International. Journal of Pest Management 52: 297-302

  55. Gohole, L.S., Overholt, W.A., Khan, Z.R., Vet, L.E.M., 2005. Close-range host searching behavior of the stemborer parasitoids Cotesia sesamiae and Dentichasmias busseolae: influence of a non-host plant Melinis minutiflora. Journal of Insect Behaviour 18: 149-169.

  56. Midega, C.A.O., Khan, Z.R., van den Berg, J., Ogol, C.K.P.O., 2005. Habitat management and its impact on maize stemborer colonisation and crop damage levels in Kenya and South Africa. African Entomology 13: 333-340

  57. Mohamed, H.M., Khan, Z.R., Overholt, W.A., Elizabeth, D.K., 2004. Behaviour and biology of Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on maize and wild gramineous plants. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 24: 287-297.

  58. Gohole, L.S., Overholt, W.A., Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Vet, L.E.M., 2003. Effects of molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora volatiles on the foraging behaviour of the cereal stemborer parasitoid, Cotesia sesamiae. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29: 713-727.

  59. Gohole, L.S., Overholt, W.A., Khan, Z.R., Vet, L.E.M., 2003. Role of volatiles emitted by host and non-host plants in the foraging behaviour of Dentichasmias busseolae, a pupal parasitoid of the spotted stemborer Chilo partellus. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 107: 1-9

  60. Midega, C., Khan, Z.R., 2003. Habitat management system and its impact on diversity and abundance of maize stemborer predators in western Kenya. Insect Science and Applications 23: 301-308
  61. Tsanuo, M.K., Hassanali, A., Hooper, A.M., Khan, Z.R., Kaberia, F., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L.J., 2003. Isoflavanones from the allelopathic aqueous root exudates of Desmodium uncinatum. Phytochemistry 64: 265-273.

  62. Khan, Z. R., Hassanali A., Pickett J. A., Wadhams L. J.  and  Muyekho F., 2003. Strategies for control of cereal stemborers and striga weed in maize-based farming systems in eastern africa involving ‘Push-Pull’ and allelopathic tactics, respectively. African Crop Science Society 6: 602-608

  63. Khan, Z.R., Hassanali, A., Khamis, T.M., Overholt, W.A., Hooper, A.M., Pickett, J.A., Wahams, L.J., Woodcock, C.M., 2002. Control of the witchweed, Striga hermonthica, by intercropping with Desmodium spp., and the mechanism defined as allelopathic. Journal of Chemical Ecology 28: 1871-1885.

  64. Kfir, R., Overholt, W.A., Khan, Z.R., Polaszek, A., 2002. Biology and management of economically important cereal stem borers in Africa. Annual Review of Entomology 47: 701-31.

  65. Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., Wadhams, L., Muyekho, F., 2001. Habitat management for the control of cereal stem borers in maize in Kenya. Insect Science and Applications 21: 375-380.

  66. Khan, Z.R., Pickett, J.A., van den Berg, J., Wadhams, L.J., Woodcock, C.M., 2000. Exploiting chemical ecology and species diversity: Stemborer and striga control for maize and sorghum in Africa. Pest Management Science 56: 957–962.

  67. Kimani, S.M., Chhabra, S.C., Lwande, W., Khan, Z.R., Hassanali, A., Pickett, J.A., 2000. Airborne volatiles from Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv., a non-host plant of the spotted stem borer. Journal of Essential Oil Research 12: 221–224.

  68. Khan, Z.R., Ampong-Nyarko, K., Chiliswa, P., Hassanali, A, Kimani, S., Lwande, W., Overholt, W.A., Pickett, J.A., Smart, L.E., Wadhams, L.J., Woodcock, C.M., 1997. Intercropping increases parasitism of pests. Nature (London) 388: 631-632.

  69. Khan, Z.R., Saxena, R.C., 1997. Use of surrogate ‘stem’ for eliciting ovipositional response of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 90: 1426-1429.

  70. Khan, Z.R., Chiliswa, P., Ampong-Nyarko, K., Smart, L.E., Polaszek, A., Wandera, J., Mulaa, M.A., 1997. Utilisation of wild gramineous plants for management of cereal stemborers in Africa. Insect Science and Applications 17: 143-150
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