INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT OF SWEETPOTATO IN THE CARIBBEAN

Abstract

Insect pests of sweetpotato are best controlled by integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. The sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius, is the most important worldwide pest, however in some Caribbean nations, the West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus, is the predominant species. Wireworms, cucumber beetles, white grubs, flea beetles, and various foliar pests also may occur. An emerging pest in Jamaica is the sweetpotato leaf beetle. A sweetpotato IPM program, developed under IPM CRSP (Collaborative Research Support Program) and tested in Jamaica, demonstrated a 2-3-fold reduction in pest damage. This program emphasized cultural control techniques, such as good land preparation, irrigation, drainage, crop rotation, field sanitation, selection of clean cuttings, and prevention of root exposure by hilling plants and keeping the soil moist to prevent cracking. Harvest should be prompt, and piecemeal harvesting is discouraged. Old plant materials and alternate hosts should be destroyed. Various biological control measures, like pheromone traps for weevil monitoring and control, can be used. If available, resistant varieties should be planted. Insecticides should be used only when necessary. The development, evaluation, and implementation of an IPM program should involve a baseline survey, technology transfer, and impact assessment phases. Pest problems vary from island to island in the Caribbean, so regionalization of IPM technology should be tailored to meet special local needs. Differences in regional tastes and production practices, policy issues, regulatory considerations, and economics must also be considered. IPM implementation depends on efficient distribution of information using books, information bulletins, fact sheets, and internet services. Demonstration plots and farmer-participatory workshops are useful.