Thesis (BS Agriculture major in Horticulture) -- Mariano Marcos State University-College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, Batac City

Bibliography : leaves 42-45

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.