Project
Development of IPM Programs for Plantain Systems in Ecuador
Details
Project Code:
Not Available
Start Date:
1999
End Date:
2004
CRSP Phase:
Phase 2
Budget:
Not Available
Countries:
Ecuador
Participants
Lead University:
Ohio State University
Other Partners:
INIAPP-EE Santa Catalina
Principal Investigator(s):
William Viera, Patricia Travez, Jose Ochoa, Patricio Gallegos (INIAP-E.E. Santa Catalina);Mike Ellis, Roger Williams (
Ohio State)
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
None
Overview
The long term goal of this project was to develop a sustainable IPM program for plantain under Ecuadorian conditions.
Objectives
To evaluate under on-farm conditions: 1. Integrated pest and disease management strategies for plantain 2. The effects of continuous application of cultural (sanitary) practices on the incidence of common insects, nematode pests and Black Sigatoka disease on plantain 3. Develop methods of diffusion of IPM technologies
Outcomes
Results show that a significant improvement of yield and net benefit can be obtained in rehabilitated plantain by the use of Integrated Pest Management practices even without the use of fungicides; however it is as well shown that there exists room for improvement, possibly with a rational use of fungicides once plantations have been rehabilitated. Evidence shows that the best planting density for plantain is around 1300 plants per hectare; higher densities increase disease incidence and input needs for management. Since IPM is knowledge intensive, modules have been developed that are both attractive for farmers and provide enough information so as to increase their knowledge of plantain cultivation and IPM principles. The INIAP team gained confidence in the methodology to reach farmers through the media under this project.
