Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 4 • Integrated Insect and Rodent Pests Management
Exercise No. 4.04 133
USING REPELLENT AND TRAP CROPS AS PEST
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
The use of repellent and trap crops, when properly
implemented as a cultural management strategy can
effectively reduce pest populations in organic vegetables
without resorting to pesticide application. A popular
repellent crop in highlands is marigold, which is used
against DBM. Trap crops, on the other hand, may include
susceptible crops (e.g., marigold) or alternate hosts (e.g.,
Galinzoga parviflora and Bidens pilosa) of destructive pests
(e.g., root knot nematodes) that are strategically planted in
field to evade attacks by altering their food preference and
migration from main vegetable crop to trap crop 134 .
Chinese cabbage (locally known as wongkok) seems to be preferred by flea beetles and this could be
used as a trap crop of this pest. For cutworm caterpillars, a simple and effective trap crop is use of
large senescing cabbage leaves, which are placed on the ground around plants in late afternoon. The
caterpillars seek refuge under these leaves where they can be easily collected when the sun rises the
following day. The leaves are also effective in trapping garden snails and slugs.
Many farmers in the Cordilleras had their own innovations in using repellent and trap crops. These
experiences can be effectively shared and learned among farmers in FFSs through field walks,
observations, and brainstorming. These learning experiences can be enhanced further by roleplaying,
hence this exercise.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes for field walks, observations, and collection of suspected repellent, trap, and
main vegetable crops in learning and adjoining fields; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour role-playing and brainstorming session in processing area.
133 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp189-191.
134 Medina, J.R. 1998. As cited in: Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM,
Volume II. SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 366p.
189
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and
VST sessions, during
discussion on cultural
management practices as
a component of Integrated
Pest Management
in organic vegetable
production; and
ɶ When farmers want to
learn the best practices
from other farmers on
the use of repellent and
trap crops as a pest
management strategy
in organic vegetable
production.