Sustainable pest management approach through eggplant cultivar mixtures

Issue Date

10-2009

Abstract

Mixing cultivars with diverse genetic background can enhance functional diversity and can improve yield by providing chances for positive interaction among cultivars. The performance of ten eggplant varieties was evaluated in 2006 to determine the growth and yield, the level of insect pest infestation, and the degree of disease damage. The study showed that the fruit characters expressed in weight, length, diameter, shape, color, plants' maturity and number of marketable fruits varied among the varieties tested. Stable yield was attained because the good yielding cultivars (Casino, EG 203 and A 300) compensated for the low yields of some cultivars (544W and C), thus not affecting the overall yield of the mixture. Evidences of positive cultivar interaction related to pest damage and disease incidence were not noted particularly to fruit and shoot borer infestation. The pattern of infestation showed 'barrier effect' since the movement of fruit borer was largely among the susceptible varieties (UPL, Casino and M16); and the bacterial wilt infection was reduced because of the presence of resistant cultivar (Mistisa), which decreased the chance of the inoculum from the infected susceptible cultivar (544W) to land on another susceptible cultivar. The results generated can help in the formulation of pesticide-free, viable and cost effective cultivar mixture schemes to sustain the production of eggplant in Capiz and other areas in the region.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

23

Issue

2

Page

181-182

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

EGGPLANTS; VARIETIES; INFESTATION; PEST CONTROL; PEST MANAGEMENT

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