Survey of the alternate host plants of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), in single corn cropping system in five municipalities of Pangasinan

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

At present, Pangasinan is one of the fastest corn growing regions in the country with more than 50,000 hectares planted to hybrid and Bt corn in the last five years. Before, farmers in the province only planted corn after rice. However, corn started to flourish when Bt corn was introduced into the region. Because of the stable price in the market and the higher yield of Bt corn, areas for planting soon expanded and upland rice fields are also being converted to corn farms. Aside from this, the strategic presence of several feed mills in the region is an added bonus. Under such very favorable conditions, corn growing became popular and is now a stable venture to many corn farmers in the province. The increasing demand for Bt corn planting in the area is unstoppable and this could be alarming when farmers do not have the knowledge of the requirements for such technology. Because of possible development of Asian corn borer (ACB) resistance, the importance of refuge (as a source of susceptible population that can mate with resistant borers that may develop on Bt corn), is being emphasized. Naturally growing weed species or cultivated crops within and around the corn field may serve as natural refuge. This study aimed to determine the possible alternate host plants of ACB in a single corn cropping system in five municipalities of Pangasinan. Five sites (Bayambang, Alcala, Malasiqui, Sta. Maria and Tayug) were identified to represent single corn cropping system in a particular municipality. These areas were chosen to survey the different alternate host plants of ACB. The methods used were survey forms (designed questionnaire) for corn farmers to fill up monthly, ocular inspection, and dissection of collected host plants for the presence of ACB. Preliminary results revealed that the most dominant plants were Brachiaria sp., Commelina diffusa and Oryza sativa. During the farm survey, alternate host plants of ACB were found only in Barangay Gualsic, Alcala. These were rice, okra, beans mungbean and eggplant. A relative of corn, Tripsacum laxuum locally known as "maramais", was abundant in the area.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

216-217

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

OSTRINIA FURNACALIS; MAIZE; BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS; HOST PLANTS; CROPPING SYSTEMS; PHILIPPINES

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