A local vegetable farm where DBM traps are being used.
The DBM is one of the most destructive insect pests of brassica crops such as cai xin, xiao bai cai, gai lan, and watercress throughout the world. It is difficult to control and eradicate, and is resistant to many types of pesticides.
To help local farms manage the DBM, AVA initiated a six-month programme from 2017 to 2018 to encourage vegetable farmers to use DBM pheromone traps. This trap uses pheromones to lure DBMs and contains a sticky surface to catch the DBMs, thereby reducing the population of DBM in the farm.
Over 6,000 of such traps were distributed to local farmers who participated in the programme. Following the distribution, AVA officers monitored the use of the trap, provided advice on its installation and construction, and worked with farmers to troubleshoot any issue encountered.
Participating farmers reported a decrease in DBM damage and up to 50% reduction in the use of pesticides. Many of them were also keen to continue using the DBM pheromone traps as part of their integrated DBM management programme.
Over 6,000 of such traps were distributed to local farmers who participated in the programme. Participating farmers reported a decrease in DBM damage and up to 50% reduction in the use of pesticides.
An AVA officer (holding yellow cardboards) demonstrates the construction of a DBM pheromone trap during a training session for local vegetable farm staff
A DBM sticky trap that has been impregnated with pheromones
With the keen participation from farmers and good outcomes obtained, AVA further improved the pheromone trap by adding food attractants to it. To test the efficacy of this pheromone-cum-food trap, a trial was conducted in a farm, and the results were encouraging. Further trials are being conducted in more farms with varying population densities of DBM.
Besides DBMs, there are also other important plant pests that affect crop growth. A survey of pests is currently being carried out in local vegetable farms. When completed, the survey results will form a basis for the judicious use of pesticides and helpus to better understand the plantpest challenges at hand.