MANAGEMENT OF PESTS IN ORGANIC AGRRICULTURE WITH EMPHASIS ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS AND BIO PESTICIDES

Dr. Pio A. Javier Research Professor, Crop Protection Cluster College of Agriculture, UPLB, College, Laguna pajentom@yahoo.com/0927-329-3893
Paper to be presented during the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference, Ninoy Aquino Center, Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac City, November 8-11, 2011.

MANAGEMENT OF PESTS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE WITH EMPHASIS ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS AND BIO PESTICIDES

OUTLINE I. Introduction
1. Definition of organic agriculture 2. Pest problems in organically-grown crops 3. Management of pests in organically grown crops

II. Biological Control Agents

1. Parasitoids- Trichogramma, Diadegma, Aphytis 2. Predators earwigs, stink bug, coccinellid predators 3. Microbials - NPV, Beauveria, Bacillus

II. Botanical Pesticides

1. Previous Researches 2. Extraction/Preparations

III. Other Control Methods

1. Cultural Control 2. Physical Control 3. Other Control Methods

IV. Conclusion

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To recognize the common insect pests of representative crops and their characteristic damage, To list and discuss the different management strategies against insect pests of organicallygrown crop with emphasis on biological control agents and botanical insecticides.

Characteristics of Insects
1. Three body regions :
a. Head bears the compound eyes, ocelli, mouthparts & antennae b. Thorax bears 3 pairs of legs and 2 pairs of wings 1. Prothorax bears prolegs 2. Mesothorax bears midlegs and forewings 3. Metathorax - bears hindlegs and hindwings c. Abdomen bears the spiracles and reproductive system

Lateral view of a generalized insect

Characteristics of insects .
1. Three body regions

2. Three pairs of legs in

the adult stage 3. One or two pairs of wings

* Forewings (outer wings) * Hindwings (inner wings)

4. One pair of antennae

General Types of Insect Development:

1st instar larva
Egg

2nd instar 3rd instar

4th instar
5th instar

a. C o m p l e t e

Metamorphosis

Adult

Pupa

General Types of Insect Development .

1st instar nymph Egg

2nd instar nymph 3rd instar nymph 4th instar nymph

b. Incomplete metamorphosis

5th instar nymph

Adult

Classification of Insects
I. According to mouthparts
A. Chewing insects remove pieces of plant tissue, eat leaves. B. Sucking insects pierce plant tissue and remove plant sap

C. Boring insects bore into the fruit or stalk and eat plant tissue

II. According to Taxonomic Order

Example of Insect Classification
Common name - Asian Corn Borer Order - Lepidoptera Family - Pyralidae Scientific name Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee)

Genus

Species

Parenthesis indicates that O. furnacalis was under another genus

Taxonomist originally describing the species

Reasons for Success of Insects:

1. Short developmental period devt. from egg to adult ~1 mo. 2. Prolific produce many offspring
* Common cutworm lay more than 1,500 eggs

3. Majority can fly responsible

for long distance travel.

4. Small about 2.5 to 4.5 mm long; difficult to detect.

6. Wide host range

* survive and multiply in several host plants

Organic Crop Production

Demand for organically-grown crops is very high. Organic crop production is quite difficult because pests are generally the major constrains in successful production of quality crops. Chemicals can not be used to control insect pests and diseases and to improve plant nutrition. Growers should recognize the major pests attacking crops, their life cycle , behavior and their vulnerable stage. Growers are not aware of the control strategies to be implemented in organic crop production.

Republic Act 10068 Organic Agriculture Act of 2010

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Republic Act 10068

Declaration of Policy
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines
A comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems shall be undertaken The State recognizes and supports the central role of the farmers, indigenous people and other stakeholders at the grassroots of the program

WHAT IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (OA)?

Organic agriculture includes all agricultural systems that promote the ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and technically feasible production of food and fibers. OA dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides & pharmaceuticals. OA also covers areas such as but not limited to, soil fertility management, varietal breeding * selection under chemical & pesticidefree conditions, the use of biotechnology & other cultural practices that are consistent w/ the principles & policies of this Act, & enhance productivity w/o destroying the soil & harming farmers, consumers & the environment as defined by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM): provided, that the biotechnology herein referred to shall not include genetically modified organisms or GMOs.

Pest, Disease and Weed Management

Organic farming systems should be carried out in a way, w/c ensures that losses from pests, diseases, & weeds are prevented.

Use of synthetic pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides,

molluscicides, nematicides etc.) are prohibited.
The natural enemies of pests & diseases should be protected through proper habitat mgt. while encouraging hedges, nesting sites, etc. Weeds are controlled by a number of preventive cultural techniques limiting their development, e.g. suitable rotations, green manure, a balanced fertilization program, early seedbed preparations & predrilling, mulching, & by mechanical control.

Efforts should be made to select varieties well adapted to the environment, to achieve a balanced fertilization program, fertile soils of high biological activity, diverse rotations, companion planting, green manure, etc.

 Products used for pest, disease & weed mgt. prepared at the farm from local plants, animals & microorganisms are allowed. OCCP have listing of products that may be used for the control of pests and diseases , & list of recommended plants vs. some pests/diseases . Thermic weed control & physical methods for pest, disease & weed mgt are permitted. Thermic sterilization of soils to combat pests & diseases can be allowed by the certification body in circumstances where a proper rotation or renewal of soil cannot take place.

 All equipment used for the apln of pesticides & fertilizers on unconverted areas of the farm shall be properly cleaned & free from residues when used for applying permitted substances on organically managed areas. Spraying equipment in particular should be exclusively used in organic farms. The use of genetically engineered organisms or products thereof is not permitted. All synthetic products like growth regulators & dyes (e.g. for cosmetic alterations of organic products) are prohibited. Offfarm products that may be used for growth regulation are seaweed. Products used for regulating growth & devt . of plants prepared on the farm itself from local plants, animals & microorganisms are allowed.

A. Insect Pests of Tomato

Common Name
1. Tomato fruitworm

Scientific Name
Helicovepa armigera

2. Whitefly
3. Corn semi-looper

Bemesia tabaci
Chrysodeixis eriosoma

4. Common cutworm
5. Leafhopper 6. Lady beetle 7. Leafminer

Spodoptera litura
Amrasca biguttula Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Liromyza spp.

1. Tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Pupa Adult

Larvae

Damage:

Bore into petioles, flowers and flower buds or fruits which eventually fall-off

2. Whitefly, Bemesia tabaci

Colony

Adult

Nymphs & eggs

Damage:

Both nymphs and adults suck plant sap

Transmit leaf curl virus

B. Insect Pests of Eggplant

Common Name
1. Eggplant borer 2. Common cutworm 3. Corn semi-looper 4. Whitefly 5. Leafhopper 6. Lady beetle

Scientific Name
Leucinodes orbonalis Spodoptera litura Chrysodeixis eriosoma Bemesia tabaci Amrasca biguttula Epilachna vigintioctopunctata

1. Eggplant Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis

Lays eggs singly at night; up to 121 eggs

Egg hatches in 4-6 days

Larva bores & feeds on flowers, shoots & fruits

Total larval period = 15 days with 6 instars

Mature larva leaves the host & spin a leathery cocoon in the plant

pupation takes 9.44 to 11.5 d

Adult longevity: 4 days (male) & 7.5 days (female)

1. Eggplant Borer .continued

Damage:
wilting of infested shoots falling of flowers; surviving flowers result in small and irregularly shaped fruits feeding on fruits; presence of exit holes

caused 20-80% yield reduction

2. Common cutworm, Spodopotera litura

Egg mass
Larva Pupae Adults

Damage
Larva feeds (holes) on the leaf.
Larva bores on the outer portion of fruit.

C. Insect Pests of Crucifers

(cabbage, pechay, mustard, radish, cauliflower

Common Name
1. Diamondback moth 2. Cabbage moth 3. Common cutworm 4. Cabbage webworm 5. Flea beetle 6. Aphids

Scientific Name
Plutella xylostella Crocidolomia pavonana Sopodoptera litura Hellula undalis Phylotreta striolata Aphis gossypii

1. Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Larvae and Damage

Adult

Damage: * Appears as irregularly chewed patches in the leaves but the veins & upper epidermis are left, producing a characteristic window effect.

2. Cabbage worm, Crocidolomia pavonana

Damage: Larva feeds on the leaves, w/c often results in nonformation of heads & perforation of the leaves on non-forming crucifers.

D. Insect Pests of Cucurbits Common Name

1. Melon worm 2. Fruitfly 3. Aphids 4. Squash beetle

Scientific Name
Diaphania indica Bactrocera cucurbitae Aphis gossypii Aulacophora indica

1. Melon worm, Diaphania indica

Damage: Caterpillar feeds on the underside of the leaves and may even consume the entire leaf. Also feed on fruit skin when leaves are already mature.

2. Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae

Damage:
* Maggots feed on

Eggs

Maggots

Pupae

the stems & fruits causing stem & fruit rot. * Severe infestation results in so many fruit drops or decay of immature fruits.

Adult laying on fruit

Adult

Life Cycle of Melon Fruitfly

Part II