Examinando por Autor "Delgado, R."

Mostrando 1 - 2 de 2

Biosecurity for small growers of local and organic export banana in Peru – seeking synergies with food safety and ecological intensification
(International Society for Horticultural Science, 2023-05-17) Staver, C.; Delgado, R.; Rojas Llanque, Juan Carlos; Rivas, J. C.
For decades, banana Fusarium wilt Race 1 (FWR1) has spread throughout banana growing areas of Peru. In response, small growers have changed cultivars and crops. The threat of FW to bananas countrywide has worsened with the detection of Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (FWTR4) in organic export banana on the northern coast. Farm-level biosecurity measures to reduce the risks of FWTR4/R1 are directed toward physical barriers and control points to minimize vehicles and persons entering and leaving the farm and ensure their sanitation. We completed a diagnostic study of biosecurity practices in two smallholder banana-growing regions – organic export Cavendish on the north coast and cultivars for national markets often susceptible to FWR1 in the central Selva. Simultaneously we examined the potential to increase productivity through ecological intensification and to gain market acceptability through food safety measures. We hypothesized that among resource-scarce growers, biosecurity measures which contribute to productivity and food safety requirements will be more readily put into practice. Seven farms in central Selva and five marketing associations were profiled through site visits, drone views and structured interviews. Interviews were also conducted with research and regulatory agencies. The assessment showed that growers in both zones had received little training on banana disease symptoms and epidemiology and were not implementing biosecurity measures. In the central Selva, planting material appeared to be the major path for FWR1 spread and 6 of 7 farms visited already had infected fields. On the north coast, fields are contiguous joined by flood irrigation and served by over 75 mobile packing sheds and harvesting crews which move from farm to farm and sector to sector without biosecurity measures, both contributing to major risk of spread. Inspectors for certification in both regions and input sales representatives on the north coast arriving from abroad are not subject to biosecurity measures. Practical training on disease symptoms, characteristics and management of healthy planting material and epidemiology-based risk assessment and the promotion of multi-purpose living hedges as barriers could contribute to biosecurity, productivity and food safety, while control of international and local visitors addresses biosecurity and food safety.
Red rust thrips in smallholder organic export banana in Latin America and the Caribbean: pathways for control, compatible with organic certification
(ISHS, 2020-03-23) Arias de López, M.; Corozo Ayovi, R.E.; Delgado, R.; Osorio, B.; Moyón, D.; Rengifo, D.; Suárez, P.; Paulino, A.; Medrano, S.; Sanchez, L.; Rojas Llanque, Juan Carlos; Vegas, U.; Alburqueque, D.; Staver, C.; van Tol, R.; Clercx, L.
Since 2010, red rust thrips (RRT) have become a serious pest in organic export banana plantations, causing yield losses of 30-40%. Although RRT blemishes on banana peel are only cosmetic, exporters apply zero tolerance. During 2014-2017, FONTAGRO co-financed studies on measures to reduce RRT damage in smallholder organic export banana. Research was initially guided by an IPM approach based on thrips population thresholds and linked abiotic factors, in order to schedule practices. Initial studies resulted in a preventive model for thrips management based on the yearround use of transparent bags with 3-mm orifices to protect bunches just as the bell emerges and before bracts open. This approach minimizes losses due to both Chaetanaphothrips signipennis found in Peru and Ecuador and Chaetanaphothrips orchidii common in the Dominican Republic. Experiments to develop scouting methods and establish thresholds suggested three conclusions: C. signipennnis flies very little, complicating trapping even with pheromones; thresholds for economic damage are very low; and scouting is difficult, costly and not practical for decision making. Routine monitoring of losses caused by RRT and other factors should be done during packing. Experiments to test the effectiveness of bagging and the use of applied products to repel or kill thrips showed that bagging alone reduced losses by 90-100% compared to bunches with no bag. Applications of organic products to the bell at bagging and the leaf whorl and the upper bunch stem simultaneously with other bunch practices reduced losses further by 0-8%. Studies of biological control identified predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens which attack different stages of thrips. Preliminary lab and release studies suggest that biological control should be further developed. However, RRT form part of a complex of insect bunch pests, and the use of general or targeted applications should be reviewed to avoid the use of products which reduce beneficial organisms.