Mulching and biological control reduce Diaphania indica worms on muskmelon
2009
Patricio, M.G. | Nicolas, J.A. | Dizon, H.A., Central Luzon State Univ., Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (Philippines)
A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of mulching and earwig as biological control agent against cucurbit worm on muskmelon. Two population rates of 30,000 earwig/ha and 20,000 earwig/ha were compared. The earwigs were released twice on plots mulched with either silver plastic or rice straw. Unmulched and with no earwigs released were also provided as control plants. The number of cucurbit worms was reduced on plants grown with rice straw mulch and released with 30,000 earwigs/ha but the difference was found not significant with rate of 20,000 earwigs/ha. Mulching and release of earwig also reduced population of other insects. Those plants grown with mulch and released with earwigs had significantly less cucurbit beetles and whiteflies. The highest number and weight of marketable fruits were recorded on silver plastic mulched-plants with earwigs released at 30,000 individuals/ha.
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