No. | Risk mitigation measure | Effect on the pest | Evaluation and uncertainties |
---|---|---|---|
3 | Crop rotation | Yes |
Evaluation: It has been observed that in ulluco fields were crop rotation is applied there is no weevil damage to the crop. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: In some cases, the crops rotating are also hosts of the pest. |
5 | Use of healthy seed tubers | Yes |
Evaluation: Avoiding sowing tubers damaged and infested with weevils. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: It seems that the seeds come from the previous production cycle; therefore, the inspection is visual and the health status uncertain. |
6 | Elimination of volunteer plants | Yes |
Evaluation: Volunteer plants can be removed when they are small, or their presence can be avoided by making a good harvest and eliminating their residues. These plants are the first to emerge and provide adult weevils with food, shelter and place to oviposit. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: No scientific data on efficacy. |
Elimination of crop residues | Yes |
Evaluation: Damaged, rotten and small tubers left in the fields after harvest allow weevil larvae and other pests to develop inside and complete their life cycle. These tubers instead must be collected and destroyed. A practical way to eliminate this waste is to introduce animals, such as pigs and sheep, to feed and thus get rid of these tubers. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties:
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7 | Mechanical measures | Yes |
Evaluation: Manual capture of weevils can contribute to reduce the amount of weevils present. Uncertainties: Might not be effective enough. |
8 | Ash application | Yes |
Evaluation: The application of 10 g of ash to the neck of the plant to the emergency and before the stubble tillage reduces by 37% the damage by weevil. It can lower infestation. Uncertainties: Limited scientific data on efficacy. |
9 | Hilling | Yes |
Evaluation: It is important to hill properly in order to prevent the larvae from reaching the tubers. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: No scientific data on efficacy. |
11 | Timely harvest | Yes |
Evaluation: The damage increases when ulluco is left in the field for longer than needed. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: No scientific data on efficacy. |
12 | Winter plough in harvested fields | Yes |
Evaluation: Plough the soil of infested fields between July and August to destroy weevils by exposing them to the sun and wild birds. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: No scientific data on efficacy. |
13 | Poultry use | Yes |
Evaluation: During the selection of ulluco tubers and after soil removal chickens are used such as predators of larvae, pupae and overwintering adults. Pest pressure can be lowered. Uncertainties: No scientific data on efficacy. |
18 | Storage temperature | No |
Evaluation: The tubers are shipped in containers with a temperature and relative humidity of 2°C, 90%–95% humidity. The life cycle can be slowed down. Uncertainties: The temperature inside the tubers could be different from the one in the environment. |