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

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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
The common cutworm NPV, technically referred to as Spodoptera litura NPV or SlNPV, is one of
biological control agents that can be integrated with other control tactics in developing an organic
vegetable production program. SlNPV has long been known locally as a biological control agent,
but studies have been limited to laboratory and small-scale field evaluations. There had been efforts
by some researchers to develop formulated products for commercialization. However, in countries
like Cambodia, and Indonesia for instance, farmers are using only crude preparations/extracts and
their respective governments provide these.
In the Philippines, use of SlNPV is beginning to be appreciated by farmers because it can be massproduced
at farm-level. Its efficacy may result in 100% mortality, if infection sets before last larval
instars. These experiences must be shared among FFS farmers and facilitators to further improve
current approaches in enhancing biological control of insect pests in organic vegetable growing.
This exercise was designed to attain such particular objective.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour of field walks, observations, interaction with farmers;
• One to two hours hands-on on mass-production and use of NPV to control common cutworms;
• Thirty minutes to one hour brainstorming session in processing area; and
• Thirty minutes weekly follow-ups on progress of NPV infection on common cutworms in
organically-grown vegetable fields.
learning objectives
• To create awareness and understanding among participants that spraying NPV can effectively
control common cutworm and enhance biological control of insect pests in organically-grown
vegetables; and
• To learn and do hands-on exercises on innovative approaches of how NPV can be used to
effectively control common cutworm and enhance biological control of insect pests in
organically-grown vegetables.
materials
• Office supplies (e.g., notebooks, ball pens, marking pens, crayons, Manila papers);
• Other supplies (e.g., taro, sweet potato, or mulberry plants, Petri dish, 10% sugar solution,
insect cage, plastic cups, measuring cup, sprayer, knife or scissors, and water); and
• Organically-grown vegetables in learning and adjoining fields showing relatively moderate to
serious infestation of common cutworms and NPV-infected common cutworm larvae.