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

Section 6 • Simultaneous Insect Pest and Disease Management
Exercise No. 6.07 231
MINIMIZING INSECT PEST AND DISEASE OCCURRENCE
THROUGH CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN ORGANIC
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Crop diversification is planting as many crops at the same
time in one farm to maximize land use and minimize pest
and disease occurrence 232 . With this system, number of
organic vegetable crops grown by farmers in his farm
depends on such factors as crop preference, technical
knowledge, adaptability, market demands, and profitability.
Despite inherent advantage of crop diversification, majority
of farmers still practice mono-cropping or planting of one
crop or several crops belonging to one family in one farm on
a year round basis.
In the Cordilleras, outbreaks of pests (e.g., diamondback moth or DBM in crucifers) and diseases
(e.g., clubroot in crucifers, damping off in parsley and cucurbits, and bacterial wilt in solanaceous
crops) had been associated with continuous practice of mono-cropping.
In FFSs, farmers will be able to share their unique experiences in crop diversification through
field walk and brainstorming. In this process, they may influence their co-farmers to practice crop
diversification instead of mono-cropping and subsequently reduce pest and disease occurrence in
their communities. The foregoing exercise was designed to share these best practices.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour field walks, observations, and interaction with farmers in both
conventional and organic vegetable fields; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour brainstorming session in the processing area.
231 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. pp 280-282.
232 IIBC. 1990. Manual on Biological Control and Biological Methods for Insect Pests in the Tropics. FAO/IRRI/IIBC Training Course on Biological Control
in Rice-based Cropping Systems, International Institute of Biological Control, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp1.1/1-1.2/1 (Part 3).
341
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ As a special topic on
‘Cropping Systems’ in
the FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions; and/or
ɶ When farmers want to
learn more from other
farmers better crop
diversification schemes
as cultural management
strategies against
pests and diseases of
organically-grown
vegetables.