Layugan, Ruthby creator text City of Batac MMSU 2024 monographic eng

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xii, 63 leaves : 29 cm. The study involved a field experiment conducted during the dry season from February to April 2023 at Sacritan, Pinili, Ilocos Norte. The objectives were: a) to compare the effect of different biocontrol agents (BCAs) on the yield and fruit quality parameters of ridge gourd; b) to evaluate the effect of different biocontrol agents against insect pests of ridge gourd; and c) to assess the profitability of ridge gourd production using BCAs. The following treatments were evaluated: untreated control, commercial insecticide, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae. These treatments were assigned to experimental units following a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatment effects were evaluated based on the yield performance and fruit quality of the test crops. The application of biological control agents had no significant effect on the number of male flowers, percent marketable fruits, or fruit diameter. However, significant differences were observed in the number of female flowers, percent fruit set, number of fruits per kilogram, number of fruits per hill, fruit yield per hill, percent unmarketable fruits, yield per hectare, fruit length, and fruit weight, with Beauveria bassiana showing significantly higher values. Additionally, pest reduction was not significantly affected by the application of biological control agents during the 1st, 3rd, and 4th applications. However, comparable effects were noted in plants treated with Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The application of Beauveria bassiana resulted in the highest net income and return on investment. Layugan, Ruthby Thesis (BS Agriculture major in Horticulture) -- Mariano Marcos State University-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Batac City Bibliography : leaves 42-45 MMSU 241210 20250807160710.0