Eggplant production in the Philippines suffers severe yield losses from insect pests, diseases, and extreme environmental conditions. The most destructive insect pest of eggplant in the Philippines and other Asian countries is the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB).
How important is eggplant in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, eggplant production accounts for more than 30.0% of the total volume of production of the most important vegetables in the country [5]. Eggplant production provides an important source of cash income, particularly for small, resource-poor farmers.
Are there issues and concerns raised to farm and eat Bt talong?
Environmental safety
The fear that Bt talong might disrupt the natural ecological balance is also ungrounded. In contrast, pesticides used in farming the ordinary eggplant indiscriminately kill even potentially beneficial organisms and pollute the farm environment.
What are the diseases of eggplant?
- Cercospora leaf spot Cercospora melongenae.
- Colletotrichum fruit rot Colletotrichum melongenae.
- Damping-off Fusarium. Pythium spp. Rhizoctonia spp.
- Early blight Alternaria tomatophilia.
- Phomopsis fruit rot Phomopsis vexans.
- Powdery mildew Leveillula taurica.
- Verticillium wilt Verticillium spp.
What is the economic value of eggplant in the Philippines?
In 2020, the value of eggplant produced in the Philippines amounted to 6.04 billion Philippine pesos. The production value of eggplant in the country peaked in 2018 at 7.41 billion Philippine pesos.
Is eggplant abundant in Philippines?
In the Philippines, eggplant or talong is the number one vegetable in terms of production area, with an average of 21,225 hectares planted every year.
Is genetically modified talong safe to eat Why?
According to Dr. Bernardo, cooking the Bt talong can completely denature the Bt protein. “It is non-detectable in any cooked food therefore there is no human exposure to Bt proteins in eating cooked Bt crops,” she said.
What is potential risks of Bt talong?
The Bt eggplant can affect the environment by harming insects directly or indirectly (important for beneficial insects). 1) Direct Effects: GE Bt eggplant, like other Bt crops, could be harmful to non-target organisms if they consume the toxin directly in pollen or plant debris.
How do you control eggplant pests?
“With the pest control offered by Bt eggplant, these sprays can be eliminated.” The insecticides used by vegetable farmers on eggplant include profenofos, triazophos, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and malathion. Residues from their application have been found in both the soils of eggplant farms and in harvested fruits.
Who are affected by the decisions made in Bt talong?
Bt talong, developed through biotechnology, can increase productivity in areas affected by eggplant pests known as fruit and shoot borers without the use of chemical pesticides.
What is killing my eggplant?
Aphids and whiteflies both have piercing, sucking mouthparts used to suck the sap out of eggplant leaves and stems. Both pests are primarily found on the undersides of the leaves. As they feed, they secrete a sticky waste known as honeydew.
What causes eggplant to wilt?
Verticillium wilt in eggplants is caused by a fungus that lives and overwinters in the soil for years. It not only occurs in nightshades but also cucurbits, evergreens, herbs, flowering ornamentals, and even trees. The disease attacks vascular tissue, disrupting the movement of nutrients and water.
How is eggplant grown in the Philippines?
Eggplant grows best in sandy loam to clay loam soils. Eggplant can be grown in a deep fertile and well drained, silt loam to clay loam, with a pH range of 5.5 – 6.5. It can grow on temperature between 20-30 centigrade during daytime and 20-27 centigrade at night. Rainfall requirements varies from 1000-1500 mm annually.
What is the economic importance of eggplant?
Based on data from 2014, the global production of eggplant is around 50 million tons annually, with a net value of more than US$10 billion a year, which makes it the fifth most economically important solanaceous crop after potato, tomato, pepper, and tobacco (FAO, 2014).
Which region in the Philippines is the top producer of eggplant?
Ilocos Region
Ilocos Region, the major producer of eggplant for the quarter with 32.87 thousand metric tons, shared 41.5 percent to the country’s total output. Central Luzon ranked second with 22.1 percent share, followed by CALABARZON with 11.8 percent share.
Is eggplant easy to grow in the Philippines?
The crop thrives best in sandy loam and clay loam textured soils with pH value ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. The water requirement of the crop is 35 to 40 millimeter per week. It is moderately sensitive to flooding and moisture sensitive during flowering and fruit enlarging.
What type of eggplant is in the Philippines?
Long and purple eggplant varieties, like the Fortuner F1 and Banate King F1, are popular in most regions in the Philippines. Meanwhile, long, green, and white eggplant like the Amor F1 is grown mostly in Batangas.
How long does eggplant grow in the Philippines?
three to four months
Talong or eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a vegetable that is extensively grown locally. Producing this crop will only take three to four months when grown from seed. Photo by Dan-Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash. Eggplant is a popular ingredient in various Pinoy recipes, such as tortang talong or eggplant omelet.
Why is eggplant genetically modified?
The crop has been genetically modified to contain a protein from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a naturally occurring soil bacterium used widely in organic agriculture. It reduces pesticide use by providing inherent protection against the destructive eggplant fruit and short borer (EFSB).
What is GMO in the Philippines?
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) products were introduced to Philippine agriculture by Filipino researchers as a way to combat nutrient deficiency and malnutrition. According to the World Food Program (WFP), about one out of nine people in the world do not have enough food to live a healthy life.
Is Bt talong toxic to humans?
Also called Bt eggplant or Bt talong, it contains a natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that makes it resistant to EFSB. The Bt protein in Bt eggplant only affects EFSB and is proven safe for humans, farm animals, and non-target insects.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.