Jatropha biopesticide and enhanced light trap for control of rice pests

Rice is a major crop and staple food of Filipinos. However, pests such as golden snail, leaf hoppers, leaf folders, and stem borers reduce the potential yield of rice. At present, chemical pesticides are more commercially available than organic pesticides. However, due to health reasons and increasing awareness on sustainable agriculture, researchers continues to look for organic pesticides to effectively control rice pests especially in lowland rainfed areas. Solsoloy et al. of the Cotton Research Center- Cotton Development Authority [Philippines] evaluated the effectiveness of a package of technology using Jatropha curcas L. biopesticide against golden snail. It also determined the efficiency of the enhanced high frequency light trap in controlling insect pests of rice. Findings of the study revealed the following: Field evaluation of the J. curcas biopesticide at the rate of 150 ml/16 L water gave a comparable effect with the check commercial mollusicide, niclomide, and hand picking method in reducing plant damage caused by golden snail (Pomacea sp.). J. curcas biopesticide prevented egg deposition of the golden snail on the rice paddy at a rate better than daily hand picking method but at a relatively lower degree than the chemical check. The enhanced light trap effectively controlled the major rice pests specifically Nephosettix veriscens, Recilia dorsalis, Sogatella furcifera, Nilaparvata lugens, Hydrellia philippina, Sesamia inferens and several unidentified species of leaf folders and stem borers. With the use of this package of technology, grain yield was 6.0-6.5 t/ha. Partial budget analysis using enhanced light trap technology indicated high profitability due to increased yield and reduced chemical spraying. An increase in yield from 5.5 t/ha to 6.5 t/ha resulted in an additional income of Php 12,000 (at Php 12/kg). On the other hand, chemical spraying which costed Php 2,000/spraying was reduced from four to zero spraying or a savings of Php 8,000. The researchers recommended that farmers evaluate the package of technology for social acceptability. As a requirement for registration with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), there should also be risk assessment on its effect on water, soil organism, and other non-target organisms in the environment. furthermore, the enhanced light trap should be tested against insect pests of other crops to maximize its usefulness.