IPM OF SQUASH

In Crop Protection, squash is the assign topic to me. We are going to research and make an integrated pest management about it. So as a designated topic for me, I make a research for the squash, and these are what I have done.

 

BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SQUASH

Squash, Cucurbita maxima is a member of the cucurbit family. It is locally known as ‘kalabasa’ or ‘calabaza’, ‘fak-thong’ (Thai), ‘walu’ or ‘labu’ (Indonesian). It is a monoecious annual crop whose stems are long-running or short and bushy, soft-to-hard, and round-to-angular. Adventitious roots are also commonly formed at its nodes. Flowers are solitary with lemon yellow to deep orange color. There are several other cultivated species of Cucurbita that are commonly referred to as squash. Cucurbita pepo includes the pie, jack-o-lantern, and field pumkins as well as summer squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash. Varieties within this group have hard, woody, distinctly furrowed stems. The pumpkins have bright, deep orange skin. Cucurbita maxima has a short, corky, round stems more yellow than orange. This species includes several large pumpkins and most winter squash (Hubbard, Buttercup, Banana, Mammoth, and Turban). Cucurbita moschata stems are deeply ridged, pentagonal, and smooth. They enlarge but do not flare next to the fruit. Cucurbita species originated over 9,000 years ago in Central and South America where the first of the triad of corn, beans, and squash were domesticated. Squash was grown primarily for its edible seeds; the flesh of these early type was bitter-tasting. Squash production in 2006 was 257,700 tons (t) from 13,275 hectares (ha), with CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Queaon) provinces accounting for 20% of the total production (Bureu of Agricultural Statistics [BAS], 2006). The other producers were Cagayan Valley, Bicol, and Central Visayas.

 MAJOR PESTS OF SQUASH

1. SQUASH BUGS

            Anasa tristis (order Hemiptera), is a common pest in vegetable gardens. They feed on plant foliage using mouthparts that let them pierce the foliage and suck plant sap. Their feeding results in plant wilt and in some cases plant death. Adults and nymphs cause damage by sucking plant juices. Leaves lose nutrients and water and become speckled, later turning yellow to brown. Under heavy feeding, plants begin to wilt, and the point of attack becomes black and brittle. Small plants can be killed completely, while larger cucurbits begin to lose runners. The wilting caused by squash bugs is not a true disease. Squash bugs may feed on developing fruits, causing scarring and death of young fruit.

The best method for control is prevention through sanitation. Remove old cucurbit plants after harvest. Keep the garden free from rubbish and debris that can provide overwintering sites for squash bugs. At the end of the gardening season, compost all vegetation or thoroughly till it under.

Handpick or vacuum any bugs found under wooden boards. During the growing season, pick off and destroy egg masses as soon as you see them. Use protective covers such as plant cages or row covers in gardens where squash bugs have been a problem in the past and remove covers at bloom to allow for pollination.

Trellising. Using a trellis for vining types of squash can make them less vulnerable to squash bug infestation.

Resistant Varieties. Some squash varieties, including Butternut, Royal Acorn, and Sweet Cheese, are more resistant to squash bugs.

2. SQUASH VINE BORER

Squash vine borer (Melittia satyriniformis Lepidoptera: Ageiriidae) is a pest in the eastern half of the United States.

DAMAGE

The larvae of squash vine borer damage plants by destroying tissue in the stem and causing anything beyond that point to die—either the whole plant or a runner.

IPM

Field sanitation procedures are recommended as a measure of control of the squash vine borer, as well. Vine residues should be destroyed as soon as possible after harvest to prevent late larvae from completing their lifecycle.

 Full tillage exposes cocoons (pupae) to predation and deep incorporation in early spring further helps to keep populations suppressed.

MINOR PESTS OF SQUASH

1. Cucurbit beetle (Aulocophora similis)

DAMAGE SYMPTOMS:

Large holes on the leaf are visible

Defoliation may occur if infestation is severe

IPM

Cultivation may destroy pupa in the soil

Collection of the beetles early in the morning

Application of contact insecticides

Ex: Furadan, Malathion, Sevin

2. Aphids (Aphis craccivora)

IPM:

Spray with hot pepper (100g macerated hot pepper/16 L water) and soap solution. If needed, spray with cypermethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin, or other recommended rates.

3. Fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae)

DAMAGE SYMPTOMS:

Feed by sucking plant juices

Heavy feeding causes mottled leaves

Silvery leaf

IPM:

Eliminate weeds

Use of yellow sticky traps

Application of contact and systematic insecticides

Ex: mesurol, Confidor, Provado Supra

Collect infested fruits and bury.

4. Cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

IPM

Spray biological pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV). Collect NPV-infected cutworm larvae and store in the freezer for later use. Infected larvae are swollen with foul smell. These can be macerated then diluted at 12 infected larvae per 16 L water. Fully-grown larvae killed due to NPV infection hang with their head down, holding on with the abdominal pro-legs.

Use light traps to control cutworm moth.

If needed, spray with insecticides like fipronil, fenvalerate, MIPC, or permethrin.

5. Leaf folder (Diaphania indica saubders)

DAMAGE SYMTOMS:

Folded and web leaves with pupa or larva inside

Skeletonize leaves from continuous feeding

           

IPM:

Hand picking of leaves

Collection of folded leaves

Application of several contact and systemic insecticides

            Ex: Decis, Cymbush, Mimic

COMMON DISEASES OF SQUASH

1. Viruses (Zucchini mosaic virus, squash leaf curl virus)

            IPM:

Use resistant or tolerant varieties such as Rizalina.

Remove sources of inoculum or other infected cucurbits

2. Bacterial wilt

                IPM:

Rotate planting with non-hosts crops such pole sitao or other vegetables legumes.

Plant in well-drained soils.

3. Downy mildew

                IPM:

Use resistant varieties such as Rizalina.

Remove unfected leaves.

4. Powdery mildew

                IPM:

Use resistant or tolerant varieties like Rizalina.

These are the major and minor pests of squash and as well as the diseases and their controls applying an Integrated Pest Management strategies.