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Abstract

Brassicas vegetables are the most important crops grown for domestic consumption in Lao PDR. Lepidopteran caterpillars including diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), common armyworm (Spodoptera litura), cabbage cluster caterpillar (Crocidolomia pavonana) and imported cabbage worm (Pieris rapae) and striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata) are the most devastating pests of brassica vegetables in Lao PDR. Brassica producers mostly rely on the application of chemical pesticides to control these pests. In order to reduce pesticide overuse, we evaluated the effectiveness of an integrated pest management (IPM) package (Bacillus thuringiensis and neem oil formulations and a chemical pesticide, plus installation of P. xylostella and S. litura pheromone lures) on cabbage in Kasi district, Vientiane province during January–March 2016. The IPM package was compared with Farmers’ practice (calendar-based application of abamectin) and an untreated control. The IPM package was able to reduce shot-hole damage by flea beetle, and the populations of S. litura, P. xylostella, C. pavonana and P. rapae significantly on cabbage across the locations. However, the IPM package was not as effective as Farmers’ practice. The yield of cabbage was significantly higher in Farmers’ practice plots, followed by the IPM package. The IPM package needs to be strengthened, before being validated in major brassica production locations, and then promoted for large-scale adoption.

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