TY  - BOOK
AU  - Layugan, Ruthby
TI  - Comparative efficacy of different biocontrol agents (BCAs) against insect pests of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.)
PY  - 2024///
CY  - City of Batac
PB  - MMSU, 
N1  - Thesis (BS Agriculture major in Horticulture) -- Mariano Marcos State University-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Batac City
; Bibliography : leaves 42-45
N2  - 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
ER  -