Community-based IPM [Integrated Pest Management] in rice-bitter gourd cropping system

A study on community-based IPM in rice-bitter gourd cropping system was conducted in barangay [village] San Francisco, Sto Domingo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines from 2001 to 2003. Farmers in this barangay planted certified seeds of rice varieties IR64, PSB Rc82, and Angelica, plus a traditional variety during rainy season. Average yield was about 5t/ha with minimal or no insecticide application. No critical level of rice pests was observed. July and August were the best months for the production of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia var Galaxie) with a yield of 10t/ha. Although the crop was still fed upon by larvae of Bactrocera cucurbitae and Diaphania indica, the critical pests in the study site, it provided habitat for natural enemies of rice and vegetable pests. Zorgen R attractant - baited trap was an effective tool for monitoring the movement of population of fruit flies, Bactrocera sp. and B. cucurbitae, on bitter gourd (Var Galaxie and Blue J), as well as on other vegetables grown in the site such as eggplant var Jackpot, and green chili. The trap was not effective for D. umbrosus. Weekly catch of greater than 30 fruit fly adults from June to September was a good predictor of heavy infestation resulting in fruit damage of as high as 20 to 40%. Bitter gourd production was also adversely affected by the infestation of D. indica larvae at early fruit-setting stage causing fruit distortion and poor development. An economical and practical net-bagging technique to protect the fruit from the pest was evaluated by the farmer cooperators. Net-bagging is an easy and applicable management practice to reduce crop management inputs while producing healthy fruits with less pesticide residues. Furthermore, this practice helps in the conservation and enhancement of biological control agents like parasitoids and predators and in maintaining a healthy environment