Philippines IPM project 01: Development of integrated pest management on pak-choi

Duration: 5 years  

Purpose: To design/develop, test, and validate cultural practices for vegetables specifically on pak-choi that could improve farmer’s income and sustain productivity of agro-ecosystems in Nueva Ecija in particular and in the Philippines in general.

Background/description: In the Philippines, particularly in Nueva Ecija, one of the sources of farmer’s income is through vegetable production and one of the high value crops that they commonly grow is the pak-choi. It is a short duration crop and highly susceptible to pests and diseases. The major insect pests of pak-choi are the diamondback moth, Plutella xyslostella L, striped flea beetle, Phylotreta spp., cut worm/army worm Spodoptera litura Fab., and cabbage web worm Helula undalis L. These insect pests feed not only the pak-choi plant but also to other cruciferous crops. They are present in all stages of the crop. Web blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani is the most prevalent disease observed on this crop. Through land preparation, removal of plant debris before planting,  the occurrence of insect pests and diseases can be minimized. Flooding and solarization of the area before planting could kill the pupa of the flea beetle thus reduction of the infestation of Phylotreta spp is observed. Tunnel type net barrier using 36 mesh of nylon net could reduce the infestation of diamondback moth and cabbage web worm. Proper cropping sequence also reduced the population of the pests because their life cycle is disrupted since their host plant is not present. Proper fertilization of the crop could also increase the resistance of the plant to insect pest infestation.

Agro-ecological Zone(s) and locations: San Leonardo Nueva Ecija.

Expected Outputs: The integration of different cultural practices such as thorough land preparation, removal of plant debris, flooding and solarization, tunnel type net barrier using 36 mesh nylon net, mulching with rice straw, proper cropping sequence and proper dosage of fertilizer application reduced the incidence of diseases of pak-choi; and effective control of the population of Phylotreta spp reduced the infestation of diamondback moth, P. xylostela and cabbage web worm H. undalis.

Potential impact and beneficiaries: Framers growing pak-choi and other cruciferous crops will be the primary beneficiaries of the immediate results of the project by obtaining higher yield and income through insecticide free and good quality produced, lower pest densities and disease incidence. These cultural practices are easy to follow and materials needed are locally available in the area. These practices can be expanded to other areas where pak-choi is grown.

Partners:  a) Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC), Technische Universitat Munchen (Germany)

Contact person(s)/principal investigator(s): Aurea C. Roxasau roxas@yahoo.com, Marilyn G. Patricio merlie _clsu@yahoo.com and Teotimo Aganon, tmagnon@eudoramail.com; Central Luzon State University, Philippines