Layugan, Ruthby <br/><br/>
Comparative efficacy of different biocontrol agents (BCAs) against insect pests of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) / 
Layugan, Ruthby 
 - City of Batac :  MMSU,   2024. 
 - xii, 63 leaves :  29 cm.  
<br/><br/> Thesis (BS Agriculture major in Horticulture) -- Mariano Marcos State University-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Batac City<br/> 
<br/><br/>Bibliography : leaves 42-45 
<br/><br/> The study involved a field experiment conducted during the dry season from <br/>February to April 2023 at Sacritan, Pinili, Ilocos Norte. The objectives were: a) to <br/>compare the effect of different biocontrol agents (BCAs) on the yield and fruit quality <br/>parameters of ridge gourd; b) to evaluate the effect of different biocontrol agents <br/>against insect pests of ridge gourd; and c) to assess the profitability of ridge gourd <br/>production using BCAs. <br/>The following treatments were evaluated: untreated control, commercial <br/>insecticide, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae. These treatments were <br/>assigned to experimental units following a randomized complete block design with <br/>three replicates. Treatment effects were evaluated based on the yield performance and <br/>fruit quality of the test crops. The application of biological control agents had no significant effect on the <br/>number of male flowers, percent marketable fruits, or fruit diameter. However, <br/>significant differences were observed in the number of female flowers, percent fruit <br/>set, number of fruits per kilogram, number of fruits per hill, fruit yield per hill, percent <br/>unmarketable fruits, yield per hectare, fruit length, and fruit weight, with Beauveria <br/>bassiana showing significantly higher values. <br/>Additionally, pest reduction was not significantly affected by the application of <br/>biological control agents during the 1st, 3rd, and 4th applications. However, comparable <br/>effects were noted in plants treated with Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium <br/>anisopliae. The application of Beauveria bassiana resulted in the highest net income <br/>and return on investment.