A vicious pest called coconut scale insect (CSI) imperils the Philippines’ standing as major supplier of coconut products in the world.
Contributing an estimated $2 billion net foreign earnings and providing livelihood to some 3.5 million coconut farmers, the coconut industry is heading to a downfall if CSI’s severe infestation remains unabated.
An invasive and introduced species of scale insect (Aspidiotus rigidus), CSI, attacks plant leaves as it feeds on sap directly drawn from the plants’ vascular system. It secretes a waxy coating for defense which resembles fish scales.
Coconut plantations in Batangas have fallen preys to CSI’s pernicious effects when it spread to several towns in the province and affected nearby provinces of Laguna, Quezon, and Cavite.
At present, there are also verified reports of scale insect infestation in other island provinces, even in the Mindanao areas.
Addressing the urgency of the CSI concern, an inception meeting in connection with the mergency Research and Development Response Program and Management of Coconut Scale Insect was conducted at the headquarters of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST) on Friday.
Designed for the leveling of expectations among the key players involved in the projects, the meeting was coordinated by the Crops Research Division (CRD) of PCAARRD and attended by researchers/scientists from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), DA-Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) lV-A, and from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
Ms. Erlene C. Manohar, PCA Region lV-A Manager, presented the General Framework of the CSI Task Force - Scale Insect Emergency Action Program (SIEAP) to show the complementation of the R&D programs.
The Program aims to develop and showcase systematic and immediate research and development strategies to manage CSI infestation and respond urgently in addressing the problem on CSI.
The Program highlights the importance of sustainable science-based integrated pest management strategies to manage the spread of the pest and control its damage.
Three projects were presented during the inception meeting. These include Development of Crop Care Strategies Against Coconut Scale Insect (Project 1); Ecological Studies on the Potential Biological Control Agents of CSI (Project 2); and Biological Control Strategies Against Coconut Scale Insect (Project 3).
Project 1 seeks to showcase the crop care strategies to control CSI infestation in selected sites. Project 2 seeks to determine the biocological requirements of natural enemies of A. rigidus that would enhance their effectiveness as biological control agents (BCA). Project 3, on the other hand, aims to effectively mass produce the biological control agents and effectively manage CSI infestation.
The Program seeks to achieve, among others, the following deliverables: effective crop care strategies, 80% reduction of infestation, and determination of levels of pesticide residue under Project 1; determination of the predator-prey ratio, determination of the field efficiency of predators, and protocol for release of coccinellid predators under Project 2; and protocol for mass rearing of predators and parasitoids, mass production of predators/parasitoids and identification of an effective monitoring scheme under Project 3.
Scientist Bibiano C. Concibido of the Philippine Coconut Authority stressed that the emergency crop care strategies using registered insecticides must be done to at least contain the CSI infestation in mature palms. He also explained how the combination of chemical and biological strategies can best work. Biological control agents (BCA), according to him, shall be released after a prescribed period following chemical treatment, to ensure that whatever remaining populations uncontrolled by the chemicals will not develop resistance.
To improve the mass production techniques of BCA, PCA and DA-RCPC’s laboratories shall also be made better with appropriate facilities, equipment, and enough manpower. Selected sites will be identified for the release of BCA.
Techniques for mass rearing of predators and parasitoid that show promises for field release shall also be explored
The Emergency Research and Development Response Program and Management of Coconut Scale Insect is one of the many undertakings of the Council in meeting the challenge of DOST’s Outcome One which is to provide science-based know-how and tools that enable the agricultural sector to raise productivity to world-class standards.
Results of PCAARRD and its partner agencies’ research and development (R&D) efforts in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sectors shall be showcased during the upcoming National Science and Technology Week (NSTW), on July 24-28, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.