Philippines IPM project 04: Integration of beekeeping with vegetable production in Central Luzon, State University.

Duration: Two years (2005-2007)

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of raising honeybees integrated with vegetable production based on the understanding of the vegetable crops, trees and other plants visited by honeybees as source of its pollen and nectar, control of bee pests and diseases using plants with pesticide value, raising crops favorable for bee production, applying the integrated pest management strategies such as biological and cultural controls.

Background/description: Central Luzon Region, Philippines although devoted to rice production has diversified vegetation.  Likewise, fruit trees, forest trees and vegetable crops are also grown.  Hence, there is a potential of raising honeybees for honey, royal jelly, pollen production and many other possible products from the bees.  In the region, it is not identified which of those vegetables, trees and other plant species are visited by honeybees.  Identification of these plants is a step towards its production and maintenance in the environment.  Just like other organisms, honeybees are also prone to pest and disease infestation and/or infection, hence a study on this aspect is also needed.  The causal agents are becoming resistant to existing chemicals hence there is need to identify plants with pesticide values effective against the pests and diseases.  The vegetable crops already cultivated in the region which are known to be favorable for bee production should be grown applying the integrated pest management strategies based on the studies about the application of cultural and biological control.  The principle of intercropping the vegetable crops with known plant species to attract natural enemies of the pests will be studied.  Efficiency of known parasites of major pests of some crops will be studied.

Agro-ecological Zone(s) and locations:  Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon in the Philippines

Expected Outputs: 1) The vegetable crops and other plant species as a source of pollen and nectar are identified; 2)  The plants with pesticide value against pests and diseases of bees are identified and tested; 3)  IPM strategies against pests of vegetable crops are evaluated; 4)  Identification of natural enemies attracted to crops interplanted with vegetable crops; and 5) Efficiency of natural enemies applied against the major pests of vegetable crops determined.

Potential impact and beneficiaries: The beekeepers will be the immediate beneficiaries for they will know the source of pollen and nectar based on the identification studies and therefore they will be encouraged to grow more of these crops.  The beekeepers can apply other control measures against the pests and diseases of bees such as plants with pesticide value.  The vegetable growers can apply the integrated pest management strategies such as cultural and biological control.  Finally, beekeeping can be integrated by farmer with vegetable production

Partners:  Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Contact person(s)/principal investigator(s): Epifania Castro, epifania_castro@yahoo.com