PYRETHRUM AGRONOMIC

PRACTICES

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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Definition of value addition
Value addition is a change of a Burning pyrethrum flowers on a
product from original physical state jiko produces smoke that effectively
to an enhanced new form. repels mosquitoes and other insects,
thereby addressing the challenge of
Importance of pyrethrum limited pyrethrum utilization at the
value addition household level.
• Product diversification (more Pyrethrum broom
products to sell and use)
• Market diversification (new Pyrethrum is used as a broom to
markets for harvested produce) sweep homes, and the pyrethrin in the
• Preservation (extension of shelf plant helps control ants, mosquitoes,
life) fleas, flies, moths, and many other
• Reduces postharvest losses pests
• Reduces bulk (good for
transportation and storage) Technical product
• Improves quality and user This liquid product is extracted from
acceptability dry pyrethrin flowers. The dried
• Offers employment flowers are ground, and solvents
opportunities are added to extract crude extract,
which is then refined to produce
Requirements for value the technical product. This serves
addition of pyrethrum as the fundamental material used to
• Quality raw materials (quality formulate value-added products. The
pyrethrum) residue, a solid by-product, is utilized
• Technical skills to process PYMARC, which functions
• Value addition infrastructure as an animal feed supplement and crop
and equipment (refineries, protection product (described later).
laboratories, energy)
• Market for value added Mosquito control products
products • Contains Pyrethrins 0.5%
• Policy, regulation, legislation w/w
• Flower mosquito killer pyrethrum
Pyrethrum value added sticks kill and repel mosquitoes
products and services once burnt. Light the coated
Burning pyrethrum flowers on end of the stick and allow it
jikos to produce repellant smoke to smolder. The pyrethrum
smoke effectively kills and repels • MOSKILL MOQUITO COIL is
mosquitoes. used to control mosquitoes in
• Contains Pyrethrins 0.3% domestic environs, by mode of
w/w contact.

Mosquito killer sticks

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• The pyrethrins attack the insect’s • Contains Pyrethrins 0.5%
nervous system thus generating w/w
instant muscular paralysis (Knock • A yellow emulsifiable concentrate
down) • Sold in 500 mls, 1 litre, and 5 litre
• It can be used as a conventional containers
product for the control of flying • A contact larvicide consisting
or crawling insects but more natural pyrethrins, synergists and
importantly also as a total release emulsifiers
aerosol. • Controls Larvae, and immature
• One canister can cover 300sq. stages of mosquitos
metres in about 3 minutes. 30 • Dilute 10ml of Pylarvex 0.5 in 20
second burst will cover 50sq. litres of water
metres • Apply early and late in the day
• Dosage: 1 MOSKILL aerosol
covers 300 m2

Mosquito coils

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 Pylarvex

• Contains Pyrethrins 0.6% PARESOL

w/w
Paresol is a natural pyrethrum aerosol
• Emulsifiable Concentrate
for mosquito control. It is a natural
• Sold in 500mls, 1 litre, and 5 litre
Pyrethrum based insecticide specially
containers
designed to deliver fast knockdown
• Effective against mosquitos, Gnats,
and kill of mosquitoes. It is ideal for
sand flies, and other dipthera
indoor and outdoor spraying.
• Mix 10 litres of Pymos 0.6 EC in
20 litres of water
Crop protection products (sprays)
• Use a knapsack or other ground
applicators and spry in the house These are prepared from the
and compound at the rate of 5-6 extracted pyrethrin technical product
litres per 40 cubic metres to produce a broad spectrum
pesticides used to control pests on

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 Pymos

flowers, fruits and vegetables in the litre containers

garden and greenhouses. They are • A contact pesticide/miticide
commercially available under different with strong repellency, rapid
commercial names. knockdown and paralysis
• Controls aphids, mites,
PYRAGRO whiteflies, thrips and diamond
This is a safe, effective and fast acting back moth
insecticide / miticide for the control • Mix 2.5- 5 litres of Pyagro 0.4
of biting and sucking crops pests. EC in 1000 litres of water for
• Contains Pyrethrins 4% w/w I hectare
• emulsifiable concentrate • Spray at an interval of 7 days
• Sold in 500mls, 1 litre, and 5 once insects are noticed

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 PYRAGRO

Livestock sprays and acaricides • Controls ticks and flies

• Apply 50gms of pygrease1.5
These are used to control parasites by hand or suitable brush on
in livestock. Examples of livestock tick predilection sites: Inside
sprays / acaricides include pyrethrum ears, base of horns, anal
grease and pytix 4 EC. They are used region, udder, back of heels,
to control ticks and flies. around eyes and tail brush

• Contains Pyrethrins 1.5% w/w Storage dusts food stores and

• A dark brown gel containing warehouses
plant waxes and green oils • Contains Pyrethrins 1% w/w
• Packed in 250 and 500gms • A yellow/brown powder
plastic containers • Packed in 100 and 200 gm
• Is a contact acaricide/ plastic containers
insecticide • A contact, broad spectrum
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 Pygrease

insecticide for storage pests intestinal parasites and improves

• Controls weevils, grain borers general animal appearance. PYMARC
etc. is ideal feed supplement for dairy
• Mix 100gms of pydust with cattle, sheep, goats and horses.
90 kgs of the grain and mix
thoroughly. • Contains Pyrethrins % w/w
• Repeat again after 6 months • It is a vegetable matter left
after extraction of pyrethrins
from ground flowers. All
By-product of pyrethrin extraction pyrethrins are removed at
- PYMARC this stage
• A feed supplement that
PYMARC is a by-product in pyrethrum
reduces intestinal parasites
processing – it is solid residue left
and improves general animal
after extraction of pyrethrin from
appearance
ground [Link] all pyrethrins
• Small quantities of Pymarc
are removed in the process. It is used
can be mixed with other
as a feed supplement and reduces
familiar feed such as molasses,
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PyDust

PYMARC

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 salt, bran and hay from Pests. Bengal Pesticides
• Also effective against cereal PVT. LTD. Kolkata, India
stalk borer, when applied KALRO. Pyrethrum TIMPS Inventory.
in the leaf whorls of maize KALRO / NAVCD Project
and sorghum plants at knee Kamau J.K, Kiiya, W., Ajanga, S.,
height using finger thumbs Wanyonyi, N., Gathungu, G.,
• It can also be applied in the Mahasi, M., Mwangi, J. and Pertet,
soil to act against nematodes E. (2019). Pyrethrum Propagation.
KALRO
PYMARC may initially seem KARI 2008. Crop production
unpalatable to animals; it is handbook, oil crops and
recommended that small quantities of horticulture
PYMARC be mixed with other animal Lagat, R. (2023). Pyrethrum Harvesting
feed such as molasses, salt, bran, hay, Baskets for Better Quality
etc. The ration of PYMARC in the Pyrethrum. KALRO Factsheet.
mixture can be increased gradually to Ngugi, C.W., Ikahu, J. K., and Gathungu,
an optimum of 4kg per day as follows: G. K. (2008). Pick Pyrethrum
at the Correct Stage. KARI
PYMARC 4 kg Information Brochure Series
Molasses 0.5 kg 63/2008.
Otieno, H. O., Kariuki, D. K., and
Mineral salts 100g
Wanjohi, J. M. (2020). Pyrethrum
Grass (Hay/silage) 20kgs (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium)
flowers drying conditions for
PYMARC is also used as fertilizer and optimum extractable pyrethrins
for crop protection. content. Journal of Plant Science,
9 (2):11-19.
Wanja, N., Busienei, T. P. and Peter,
REFERENCES E. P. (2008). Use Mat Solar
Sryer to Dry Pyrethrum. KARI
Crop Nutrition Laboratory Information Brochure Seris
(CROPNUTS). Undated. 74/2008.
Pyrethrum Growing in Kenya: Wanja, N., Busienei, T. P. and Peter, E.
Suitability Factors. www. P. (2008). Use Pyrethrum Solar
[Link] Dryers for Increased Income.
Dutta, U. K. (2005). Pyrethrum: The KARI Information Brochure
Wonder Plant That Protects You Series 75/2008.

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 Compiled by: Wayua F.O., Ndambuki J., Obanyi J.N., Imbwaga C.,
Kimutai C., Kivuva B., Kinyua Z.M., Kirigua V.O. and Wasilwa, L.

Edited by: : Nyabundi K.W., Mukundi K.T., Maina P., Wanyama H.N.,
Kedemi R.M. and Kibunyi N.

Design and Layout: Nogrecia Mnene

For further information, contact: The Centre Director

KALRO Molo-Industrial Crops Research Institute
P.O. BOX 100-20106, Molo
[Link]@[Link]

Disclaimer: The content of this publication is for general information

to farmers and technical staff only and no person should act, or fail to
act based on the information herein without professional advice from
crop health experts.

KALRO/NAVCDP/ Pamphlet No. 102/2024

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