Cover cropping and novel pesticide usage in the management of pests of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) J. Karungi 1 *, P. Agamire 1 , J. Kovach 2 and S. Kyamanywa 1 1 Crop Science Department, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda: 2 Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, 138 Selby OARDC, Wooster, OH 44691, USA (Accepted 22 April 2010) Abstract. In a bid to develop technologies that serve grower needs for economic management of pests and diseases of hot pepper (scotch bonnet) while protecting public health and the environment, a study to assess the potential of cover cropping and/or less-risk pesticide usage in the management of pests and diseases of hot pepper was conducted for two consecutive seasons in Uganda. A split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications was used with cropping system (main plots) and pesticide treatment (sub-plots) as the factors. There were two cropping systems: the hot pepper þ cowpea system vs. a hot pepper monocrop and five pesticide treatment options: (i) prophylactic treatment of plots at transplanting with granular carbofuran; (ii) weekly sprays of a neem-based formulation; (iii) combination of the prophylactic carbofuran treatment and neem; (iv) sulphur sprays at 10-day intervals (season 2 only); and (v) the untreated control. Data were collected on population dynamics of aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mites, nematodes and on plant performance parameters of branching and fruit weight. Results indicated that the hot pepper þ cowpea system greatly lowered infestations of aphids and nematodes on hot pepper, but did not decrease thrips and whiteflies; and brought about a yield penalty on hot pepper. Prophylactic applications of carbofuran and/or sprays of a neem-based formulation lowered populations of aphids and whiteflies on hot pepper to varying extents; and increased yield of pepper. Key words: bio-pesticide, cropping system, insect pests, integrated control, nematodes, mites, prophylactic treatment Introduction Hot pepper Capsicum chinense Jacq (Solanaceae) is a major fresh produce export in Uganda mainly exported to the European Union (UEPB, 2006). Like most vegetables, yields of hot pepper are seriously affected by a complex of pests and diseases (Martin et al., 1998; Lawrence et al., 2000; FAO, 2004). A survey done in the producing areas in Uganda found that aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites, fruit flies and the bollworm were the main pests, whereas anthracnose, cercospora leaf spot and viral infections were the commonly encountered diseases (IPM CRSP, 2006). Consequently, farmers use calendar sprays of pesticides as the main strategy for controlling the pests and diseases. However, as hot pepper is an export produce, minimum residue levels for agricultural chemicals have to be adhered to if the country is to remain internationally competitive. There is, therefore, a critical need to devise options that serve grower needs for economic management of pest and disease populations while protecting public health and the environment. *E-mail: jkarungi@agric.mak.ac.ug; jkarungitumu@yahoo.com International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 84–92, 2010 doi:10.1017/S1742758410000160 q icipe 2010