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Archives
October 1-31, 2007
DA adopts IPM scheme against Brontispa
by Ellaine Grace L. Nagpala
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| Coconut leaf beetle |
Following the alarming outbreak of an invasive coconut pest in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), has devised and adopted an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to control the spread of the coconut pest. IPM is a combination of different pest-control strategies implemented to reduce pest damage to an acceptable level.
The coconut pest, which was identified as Brontispa longissima Gestro or the coconut hispine beetle is an insect that feeds on the young leaves of coconuts and other palm species. The pest poses a great threat to the country's coconut industry as it is considered among the most damaging pest of coconut. The larvae of Brontispa feeds on young leaves of coconut, leaving it scorched in a ragged appearance, while the adults leave chewing marks on the leaves. The damage that the pest causes impairs the physiological activity of the leaves, which can lead to the death of the plants. Coconuts that are 4-5 years old are most heavily attacked by this pest.
According to PCA Administrator Oscar Garin, the plague of Brontispa can be controlled and contained through integrated control measures. This includes (1) mechanical control method which involves the cutting of the young coconut fronds infested by the beetle; (2) biological control method which involves the mass propagation of earwigs, a biological predator of Brontispa. Earwigs will be released on infested coconut trees to feed on brontispa as its prey; and (3) the chemical control which suggests the use of systematic insecticides through trunk injection. The devised IPM scheme against the Brontispa plague is the result of PCA's research, actual observations, and field experiences.
The IPM scheme for the control and containment of the coconut pest is already being implemented with PCA as the lead agency. Garin reported that PCA has already treated more than 70,000 infested coconut trees.
DA has placed Metro Manila under quarantine and other 26 provinces that were reported to have Brontispa infestation. The provinces under quarantine are Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Aklan, Guimaras, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga, Bukidnon and Davao.
Brontispa was believed to be introduced in the country in 2004 through the importation of ornamental palms. In this regard, the imports of palm seedlings and germinated seeds from over two dozen countries with reported Brontispa infestation were banned by DA. 
October 2007 Articles:
:: Yap promotes abundant & nutritious agri food products
:: World Food Day highlights “Right to Food”
:: 72-kilogram squash aces as “Pinaka-BEST” People's Choice
:: BAR awards 16 outstanding researches in agri & fisheries
:: Locally-developed ND vaccine wins PSAS Award
:: BAR conducts bio-organic fertilizer orientation
:: Eleazar receives distinguished alumni award from UPLBAA
:: UPLB celebrates Loyalty Day; Velasco highlights DA support
:: Nutritious malunggay-based recipe wins 2007 Agri-Cookfest
:: Food company eyes the potential of malunggay for biofortification
:: Beverage from malunggay
:: BAR promotes nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals derived from food crops
:: BAR introduces potential product lines from Philippine oregano
:: A fresh look at siling labuyo
:: Operating the onion industry with OPREMS
:: Empowering upland communities through Dampalit watershed project
:: Agricultural Cooperatives: Catalyst for profitability and answer to globalization
:: DA adopts IPM scheme against Brontispa
:: DA implements program to abate use of chemical fertilizers
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