Attraction in Action: Promoting brassica and legume IPM in Lao PDR

Forty-four farmers including 20 women from Phaxang, Nadao, Phatang and Soksay villages gathered at Phaxang village in Kasi district of Vientiane Province, Lao PDR on 6 December 2016 to see the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies based on biopesticides on yard-long bean and vegetable brassicas. -- MORE --

2017-02-16T05:59:22+00:00January 24, 2017|Categories: Articles, FRESH, JAN2017|Tags: , , , , |

Use of insect pheromones in vegetable pest management: Successes and struggles

Insect pheromones can be used to monitor, mass-trap, and/or disrupt the mating process of insect pests. Such traps are highly effective in reducing the damage and yield losses caused by monophagous insects such as eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis), as demonstrated in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia by the World Vegetable Center.

2016-10-22T04:50:42+00:00April 27, 2016|Categories: Recent Research|Tags: , , , |

Effects of botanical extracts and formulations against fruit fly, fruit and pod borers on tomato and yard-long bean.

Seed kernel extracts of China berry (Melia azedarach) against oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) and tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera), and commercial neem formulations containing azadirachtin (Biofree-I® and Thai neem 111®) against the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) were tested in Taiwan and Thailand to confirm their effects on oviposition, feeding, growth and development. Various extracts from M. azedarach seed kernels significantly reduced the oviposition of B. dorsalis and the efficacy was similar to Biofree-I®. The green drupe and dry seed kernel extracts of M. azedarach substantially increased larval mortality, and reduced successful pupation, pupal weight, adult emergence, fecundity and egg hatch of H. armigera larvae. Commercial neem formulations exhibited adverse morphogenic effects on various biological parameters of M. vitrata, but they did not reduce oviposition and egg hatch. M. azedarach extracts and commercial neem formulations can be employed together for the sustainable management of B. dorsalis, H. armigera and M. vitrata.

2016-10-22T04:50:51+00:00April 26, 2016|Categories: Recent Research|Tags: , , , |

Safe and sustainable crop protection in Southeast Asia: Status, challenges and policy options

This study aims to identify challenges as well as entry points for governments in Southeast Asia and elsewhere to reduce the risk from agricultural pesticides by comparing levels of pesticide use, pesticide regulation, and farm-level practices in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. We identified three main challenges to pesticide risk reduction: (a) the rapid expansion of pesticide tradein terms of total volume, number of products and number of selling points, combined with a weak regulatory and enforcement capacity; (b) a high level of satisfaction among farmers with pesticides combined with low levels of risk awareness, lack of technical know-how about integrated pest management (IPM), andgeneral unavailability of biocontrol agents; and (c) no regular monitoring of pesticide risk, which makes it difficult for legislators, regulators, farmers and consumers to make rational decisions. The study highlights several examples countries can emulate, including the introduction of a pesticide tax inVietnam, the pesticide registration system in Thailand, regular training of pesticide retailers in Thailand and Vietnam, and product certification.

2016-10-22T04:50:51+00:00April 26, 2016|Categories: Recent Research|Tags: , , |

Land use intensification, commercialization and changes in pest management of smallholder upland agriculture in Thailand.

Greater investment is needed in the development of integrated pest management in the long-term, and health problems may be reduced in the short-term by raising awareness among farmers regarding the risks they are exposing themselves to, as well as by promoting good agricultural practices.

2016-10-22T04:50:55+00:00April 26, 2016|Categories: Recent Research|Tags: , , , , |
Go to Top