ECHO Development Notes (EDN) EDN Issue #80

Additional Uses for Boric Acid

Dawn Berkelaar

In addition to controlling termites, boric acid can be used to control cockroaches and ants.

Borates for the Control of Termites

Darrell Cox

An article in the March 1998 issue of The IPM Practitioner featured the use of borates to protect wood against termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants and decay fungi.

Especially for Sub-Saharan Africa: Mother and Baby Maize Variety Trials

Dawn Berkelaar

Testing of new varieties of maize is done in communities through what have been referred to as Mother and Baby Trials.

If you are doing agricultural development work in Africa, you will want to read about—and perhaps become involved in—an exciting program that includes agriculturalists and farmers in maize variety trials. CIMMYT is working with collaborators in southern Africa to test and introduce improved, open-pollinated (i.e. not hybrid) varieties of maize. Of particular importance are varieties that are tolerant of drought and poor soils.

Update on Papaya Leaf Tea

Dawn Berkelaar

In the article about papaya leaf tea that was published in EDN Issue 77, we did not mention the possibility that regular ingestion of the tea could lead to side effects (because we had not heard of any). Since we published that article, a few items have come to our attention that we would like to share.

Leaf Protein Concentrate from Chaya Leaves?

Dawn Berkelaar

In response to the articles on leaf protein concentrate and on chaya in EDN Issue 78, a reader asked whether or not leaf protein concentrate (LPC) could safely be made from chaya.

Strawberry Tree

Krista Pendergrass

The Strawberry Tree (Muntingia calabura), also known as Jamaica Cherry, is a multipurpose tree that quickly grows to 8 to 13 meters in height. The tree produces a small red fruit, but is largely valued for its wood. It is remarkably fast-growing for a tree having such hard wood.