by Noel T. Provido Pummelo has found a better and cheaper shield against its most destructive insect pests. Thanks to bagging technology, a simple yet cost-effective way of controlling Citrus rind borer (CRB) in pummelo. Pummelo is one of highly in demand fruits for its taste and high nutritional value. It has low perishability which offers good market pontential as it can be transported to distant markets. Pummelo is best grown in Mindanao, particularly in Davao City . However, the production is not enough to satisfy domestic demand. One of the limiting factors in producing quality pummelo is the incidence of pest infestation. Using pesticide is still the most common method in controlling infestation by this insect, but aside from being expensive, it is also detrimental to health of consumers. Fe Pableo, senior agriculturist of the Bureau of Plant Industry-Davao conducted a study on the use of various bagging materials as an alternative to chemical spray. “Bagging of pummelo fruit is not a new technology since it is also practiced in other countries, but the focus is to control the fruit fly which is not a major problem in our country,” Pableo said. Nine treatments were tried using six different bagging materials: news-paper, brown paper bag, bag made of “katsa” (flour sack), straw sack bag, modified plastic net bag, and plastic bag. “Results revealed that bagging can control the CRB, with newspaper, plastic bag and modified plastic net bag showing advantage over other materials. These materials exhibited zero infestation,” Pableo said. Economic analysis, showed that plastic bag gave the highest economic benefit of P23.00 per fruit among other treatments.. However, using the net bag is more advantageous for it can be recycled and will provide free bagging materials for the succeeding fruiting season. The preparation of the net bag can also be modified to reduce bagging costs. Aside from the type of bagging materials, the time of bagging pummelo fruits is also crucial. Pableo advises farmers to conduct bagging during the pre-bloom stage of pummelo. “Since the most critical stage of CRB infestation is during the first two to three months from button or pre-bloom stage. Eggs are laid on the flowers or fruits then hatched into larvae and immediately bore into the fruits, thereby causing galls. Thus, bagging should be done before eggs are laid,” Pableo said, adding: “Aside from saving on the chemical application, bagging of pummelo fruits results to pesticide-free fruits which can command premium prices.”
