Effects of pruning and bagging technologies on mango productivity and cost of production in selected areas in the Philippines

Issue Date

10-2004

Abstract

There were 332 mango producers interviewed in selected major producing areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to analyze the impacts of judicious tree pruning and fruit bagging technologies in terms of improvement in fruit quality, reduction in the use of chemicals, change in pest management cost structure, enhanced productivity, and net income over pest management cost. Insect pests of mango are predominantly controlled using moderately to least hazardous (Cat 2 to Cat 4) chemicals. Pruning reduces the volume and cost of the insecticides needed thus decreasing pest management cost. With pruning, there is better light penetration and reduced unproductive and damaged branches. Bagging protects mango fruits from insect pests reduces the number of spraying needed and the cost of chemical control. But, bagging is relatively costly, hence the reduction in cost of pest management was not significant, or with only about P500 increase in income per tree. However, bagging has a long term benefit to the environment and the "mango-eating" public due to reduced use of chemicals. If bagging is practiced more widely, the danger of environmental pollution and ill-effects of sprayed chemicals on the health of farm workers and mango consumers could be minimized.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

18

Issue

2

Page

169

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

MAGINFERA INDICA; MANGOES; PLANT PESTS; PEST CONTROL; PRUNING; BAGGING (PEST CONTROL); BAGGING

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