2 Pinoys make pest control from fungus

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino researchers have developed an effective pest control from a fungus commonly found in the Philippines.  

Dr. Carlos de la Cruz of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-RIARC) and Dr. Ruben Gapasin of the Visayas State University have tested different Metarhizium isolates against the jackfruit borer.  

They developed the metarhizium spray suspension or MSS by mixing M. anisopliae spore cultures with 0.05 percent of soap solution and diluted with water.  

The researchers said the solution is applied to flower buds, flowers, and fruits when the jackfruit fruit borers start to infest, and until the fruits are ready for bagging.  

“To be more effective, MSS application should be complemented with proper timing of fruit bagging and pest monitoring,” the researchers said.

According to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), the fruit borer causes about 30 to 40 percent damage in jackfruit from flower bud formation up to fruit ripening.

M. anisopliae is a fungus known worldwide and proven to control various pests, PCARRD said. 

Also known as Entomophthora anisopliae, the fungus grows naturally in soils throughout the world and causes disease in various insects by acting as a parasite. 

De la Cruz and Gapasin’s study found that Metarhizium isolates from sweet potato weevils are the most effective control against jackfruit fruit borer. 

The PCARRD said jackfruit growers and project cooperators in Mahaplag, Inopacan, Abuyog, and Ormoc in Leyte are now adopting the technology. 

The pest management technology was generated from the three-year PCARRD project dubbed “Jackfruit Regional R&D Program for Region VIII” that commenced in mid-2008.   

The PCARRD, an agency under the Department of Science and Technology, said the mass production of M. anisopliae has already been established using locally available material such as palay.  

“Each bag of of Metarhizium can be produced for P17.59, which is good for spraying more than 130 fruits,” it said. 

The PCARRD said De la Cruz’s group is currently working on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the technology. It is exploring the possibility of lowering the spore concentration of M. anisopliae to further reduce the cost. 

M. anisopliae spore cultures are now available at the DA-RIARC station in Abuyog, Leyte, it said. 

The anti-pest formula can be made abroad as the fungus is also found in other countries, including Australia, Brazil and Finland.