Technology piloting on integrated crop and quality management of mango Terminal Report 01 August 2010 - 31 May 2014

The previously DA-BAR [Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research]-funded project on Integrated Crop Management (IPM) of Mango developed decision management tools that resulted in increased productivity. The current project pilot-tested the technologies in Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Postharvest Quality Management (PQM) of mango in wet and dry production areas. The ICM strategy involved the adoption of rational approach to crop planning using a combination of traditional technologies and new strategies aimed at improving crop productivity and increasing the production of quality fruits. The project was implemented in wet production areas in Mindanao represented by Brgy. [barangay/village] in Panabo City, Davao del Norte and Brgy. Mabuhay in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The dry production areas in Luzon are represented by Brgy. Dangcol, Balanga, Bataan; Bo. Sitio Palili, Samal, Bataan and Brgy., Sirang Lupa, Calamba City, Laguna. The latter site served as the demonstration area and where trials on appropriate pesticide mixes were done in support of the general guidelines on pesticide management. Project activities included capacity building of project participants (grower, growers cum spray contractors, faculty and staff of collaborating SCUs like University of Southeastern Philippines and Bataan State University, and provincial and municipal/city agriculturists), bench marking of production and post/production operations, implementation of ICM and PQM programs and data gathering on yield, quality profile, and characterization of postharvest behavior of mango fruits. The ICM program particularly the aspect of pest management worked best in the dry production areas of Bataan and Laguna where only 5 to 7 pesticide sprays need to be made in one mango cropping. However, in the wet production areas of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur, adjustments need to be made during the critical periods of flower and fruit development. In these areas, more pesticide sprays (9-10) are needed due to the differences in climatic condition wherein frequent rains occur in the wet production areas. Moreover, the change in the climatic pattern during project implementation even in the dry production area like the occurrence of rains during the summer months of March and April resulted also in an increase in the number of pesticide sprays from seven to nine. Implementation of the project generally achieved the following impacts: 1) increased yield; 2) increased recovery of quality fruits which was more evident in Davao del Sur; 3) reduced pesticide usage from 13 to 10 sprays in Davao del Norte from ten to eight in Davao del Sur, and only six sprays in Bataan; this reduction in pesticide sprays did not only lower the cost of production per kg of fruit but also reduced environmental degradation and the health risks of workers (sprayers); 4) increased income of grower-cooperators; 5) reduced incidence of anthracnose by 82-100% with the application of hot water treatment at 52-55 deg C for 10 min; 6) enhanced capability of project participants in implementing 1 cm/1 pm programs; and 7) assured project sustainability with the involvement of faculty and staff of SCUs and LGUs from project inception to implementation.