2013 Volume 4 Issue 2 Pages 38-43
In the Philippines, rice bug is a serious menace at reproductive stage of rice causing qualitative as well as quantitative losses resulting in yield reduction by 14% (PGCPP-BPI-MAF, 1986). Thus, chemical pesticides become an instant management strategy in rice culture for many decades until even after users realized its adverse effects on environment and human health. Though effective, various reports are made on pesticide residues in food, soil, water, air and overall environment causing health problems (Magallona, 1985). These problems are more than lessons from the technology. Hence, the need to seek for an effective technology that also reduces input costs while assuring supply of safe and nutritious food for man and all useful organisms, tapping common yet underutilized pest-repellent plant species. The Hindu (2002) reported that companion planting with repellent and trap crops is among the safe but sure ways to manage the insect pests of crops. Repellents are plants with strong natural aroma that can ward-off insect pests away. This experimental research determined the usefulness of resource-based alternative approach on rice bug management using four repellent plant species. A two- factorial randomized complete block design was employed with sites and repellent species as factors. The indigenous repellents tested in three replicates per site were: Bamboo (Bambusa levis L.), Erect Shell (ES) Ginger Plant (Catimbium haenkei L.), Malubago (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.) and Sand Ginger (Kaempferia galanga L.) with one control treatment as check. The statistical analysis revealed that the repellents tested were all effective in reducing rice bug population and infestation compared to the control, however, Bamboo and Sand Ginger are the most significantly effective. Findings imply that resource-based approach using repellents is efficient in reducing rice bug population and infestation, thus, it is valuable in preventing its yield loss in producing safe food and in making the rice agro-ecosystem safe for the useful organisms.
