Insect pest control practices and perceptions of eggplant farmers in Camarines Sur

Issue Date

10-2011

Abstract

Thirty (30) eggplant farmers in Camarines Sur were interviewed to determine their pest control practices and perceptions towards IPM and the factors associated with the adoption of insect pest management practices and perceptions eggplant farmers in Camarines Sur. A comprehensive listing of arthropods, their functional guilds, diversity and abundance in the eggplant ecosystem in Camarines Sur was done as well as determination of the extent of damage of the fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) in the eggplant farms in Camarines Sur. Chi square test, Shannon index, K-dominance for abundance, Bray-Curtis cluster analyses in Biodiversity Program Version 2 were used. This study was conducted from December 2010 to February 2011. Survey results showed that the pest control tactic employed by farmers was solely the use of insecticides, both with contact and systemic actions and applied 2-4 days interval between harvest but 1-3 days interval during peak harvest season. Male farmers showed willingness to adapt new IPM technologies that extension workers offer. Single farmers are more likely to adopt technologies than the married. Education level of the farmer respondents was significantly and positively correlated with their willingness to adopt technologies on insect pest management. Farm size is significantly but negatively correlated with the perceptions and willingness of the farmers to adopt new IPM technologies. Out of the 34 insect species observed, 23 are pest natural enemies, saprophagous feeders or non-crop pests. Baao eggplant farms had diverse species of insects (J1=0.0798) and natural enemies (J1=0.912) but less abundant. Insect pests and natural enemies in Pili was more diverse than Calabanga, Bombon but had abundant insects and natural enemies while Pamplona was more diverse (J1= .707). Insect pest and natural enemies was more diverse at Limbanan (0.789) and San Fernando(J1=1.0) respectively. Bray-Curtis cluster analysis showed that the insect species and populations among municipalities had similarities. The computed percentages of shoot damage in the municipalities arranged in decreasing order are: Tigaon-8.84% > Pili-8.0% > Baao-3.42% > Pamplona-3.0% > Gainza-2.9% > Limbanan-2.7%> Bombon=San Fernando=Naga, 2.6% > Calabanga-2.4%.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

25

Issue

2

Page

207

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

EGG PLANTS; PEST CONTROL; PEST MANAGEMENT; FARMERS; PHILIPPINES

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