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

Exercise No. 4.07 142
TIMING OF PLANTING AND HARVESTING AS A PEST
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Seasonal abundance of pests affects performance and yield of
organic vegetable crops. Likewise, the degree of infestation
may be high or low depending on cropping season. Pest
occurs also almost throughout the year, depending on
availability of host plants. Hence, proper timing of planting
and harvesting is one practical strategy to manage organic
vegetable pests. Pest attack can be avoided or minimized by
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
altering planting dates to avoid time when insect pests are laying eggs (e.g., ovipositing), or to allow
crop to be beyond susceptible stage when attack begins.
Similarly, harvest dates can be altered (e.g., early harvesting may be employed) to reduce attack by
late season pests. For instance, early planting of crucifers for dry season cropping (e.g., September-
October) will reduce infestation of DBM. The shift to young carrot or ‘baby carrot’ production as
market demand permits will allow early harvesting of carrots and consequently reduce occurrence
of forking and cracking maladies. Prompt harvesting of potato will avoid potato tuber moth
infestation.
Through many years of experience, some enterprising farmers in the Cordilleras had determined
proper timing of planting and harvesting their organically-grown vegetable crops to evade severe
pest infestation. These notable experiences must be shared among farmers in FFSs to improve their
current pest management strategies. This particular exercise was designed to address this concern.
How long will this exercise take?
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, before planting
organic vegetable crops
in learning field; and
ɶ When farmers want to
learn proper timing of
planting and harvesting
organically-grown
vegetable crops from
other farmers to evade
pest infestation.
• Thirty minutes to one hour for field walks and observations of organically-grown vegetable
crops planted and harvested at different time during same cropping season; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour for brainstorming session in processing area.
142 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. pp202-204.