Community-based IPM strategies against major insect pests in rice-based cropping systems with emphasis on bitter gourd

H. X. Truong

Issue Date

10-2004

Abstract

An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for rice and bitter gourd in rice-based cropping system in rainfed lowland and upland ecosystems was developed to help farmers identify key pests, assess infestation levels, and determine pest monitoring tools and control options that could reduce insecticide usage while improving market value of the crops. The cropping pattern in the study site was recorded by Global Positioning System and mapped out by the Geographic Information System (GIS). The GIS map provided better understanding of the cropping system practices and facilitated planning and implementation of pest management strategies. No important rice pest was noted and most farmers did not apply insecticides on rice during the period. The melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Diaphania indica (Saunders) (=Phalellura gazorialis) were the major pests observed on bitter gourd. July and August plantings gave the highest production (20t/ha) and best quality fruits but had high pest population. During the peak of production from October to November, methyl eugenol (ME) trap was used to determined melon fly infestation. Catch of 30 flies/trap was a good predictor of severe infestation. However, when bitter gourd was off-season, the ME trap was not able to attract the melon fly but was very effective in monitoring B. philippinensis Beven and B. occipitalis (Bezzi). In contrast, the sex pherome (cue-lure) sticky trap was a more effective and specific tool for monitoring B. cucurbitae throughout the year. Infestation of D. indica began early when fruits were about 2 inches long. Damaged young fruits become distortedand stopped developing. Net bagging of fruits was a better alternative which resulted in 95% marketable fruit yield, reduced pesticide use, and kept weed vegetation under bitter gourd favorable for habitation of predators and parasitoids of rice and non-rice pests, even up to three months after rice harvest.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

18

Issue

2

Page

100-120

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

illustration; graphs

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE; MOMORDICA CHARANTIA; INSECTA; PEST MANAGEMENT; CROPPING SYSTEMS

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