Abstract-Meligethes Résumé-Meligethes viridescens

Field‐scale experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 on three cooperative farms in DPR Korea to evaluate the potential of Trichogramma ostriniae releases to reduce tunnel damage of maize plants caused by the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and increase grain maize production. When released three times against the first generation of the pest at nominal densities of about 150 000 parasitoids/ha each and another two times against the second generation (in total 750 000 parasitoids/ha), significant effects on all assessed parameters were obtained. In the release plots, a mean parasitism rate of 61% was found, significantly different from the 21.8% found in non‐release (control) plots. Furthermore, the number of larvae was significantly reduced in release plots compared to control plots by 63.5% over all farms and both study years. Feeding tunnels caused by the Asian corn borer were reduced in length in the release plots by 64.1%. Finally, we found that fresh yield of maize ears was significantly higher in the release plots compared to control plots. For all farms and both years, the increase in fresh yield was 28.2%. In this paper we are for the first time presenting data in an international journal on the effect of Trichogramma releases on maize production in DPRK. Although T. ostriniae releases at high host densities observed in the present study were not able to completely suppress damage by the Asian corn borer, the yield increase of more than 1 ton/ha indicate that T. ostriniae releases may contribute significantly to stabilize the country’s maize production as well as support community efforts to avoid reversion into a food emergency situation.

The impact and sustainability of two interventions that have been formulated to introduce integrated pest management (IPM) into rice and maize crops in Southwestern China, Laos, and Myanmar between 2011 and 2016, and were assessed at the end of 2017. From 22 Trichogramma rearing facilities established during the interventions, 11 were still producing substantial quantities of biocontrol agents 1.5 years after project support had ended, while seven had stopped operations completely, and four were doing stock rearing only. Through the implementation of biological control-based IPM, slightly higher yields were achieved in maize and rice (4–10%), when compared to control farmers, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the use of pesticides nearly halved when farmers started using Trichogramma egg-cards as a biological control agent. Support from either public or private institutions was found to be important for ensuring the sustainability of Trichogramma rearing facilities. Many of the suggested IPM measures were not adopted by smallholder farmers, indicating that the positive impacts of the interventions mostly resulted from the application of Trichogramma biological control agents. The following assessment suggests that further promotion of IPM adoption among farmers is needed to upscale the already positive effects of interventions that facilitate reductions in synthetic pesticide use, and the effects on sustainable agricultural production of rice and maize in the target area more generally.

Agriculture is crucial for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), involving approximately 50% of the economically active population and contributing an estimated 25% to the gross national product. However, agricultural production has remained low due to soil degradation and pest damage in cabbage and maize (particularly due to lepidopteron pests), amongst other reasons. To help improve productivity and address food security issues, CABI has been working in DPRK since 2002 to introduce integrated pest management (IPM). This is a sustainable approach combining cultural, biological and chemical control methods to provide stable yields and long-term reduction in pesticide use. By integrating IPM into agricultural production, as well as into extension and education in DPRK, higher yields for staple crops, such as maize and cabbage, have been achieved and communities protected from the short-and long-term effects of harmful chemical pesticides. Sustained support and facilitation from CABI to national research institutions has also helped to strengthen capacity, so that further IPM can be developed across the country. Whilst the initiative initially focused on technical interventions, including the introduction of biocontrol-using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides and Trichogramma wasps-CABI's approach changed over time. In order to scale up successful interventions in the field, CABI recognised that it needed to develop a broader approach. This involved training with: • technicians-to produce the biocontrol agent; • extension workers-to introduce participatory approaches for the training of farmers in IPM practices; • farmers-to apply the biocontrol method and other IPM tools.

A lack of knowledge on integrated pest management (IPM) amongst the farmers (and sometimes field technicians) can be a barrier to responsible management and use of crop protection agents (CPAs), such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. Hence, addressing any knowledge gaps is a necessary first step in order for changes in behaviour to take place. This Training Guide provides training material to address training needs and offers guidance on how to adapt the core material to local conditions through the national training programmes. This guide focuses on the some of the key principles of IPM and appropriate use of CPAs. The guide presents a core training package with detailed curricula to address all aspects of responsible CPA management. The guide provides background information to support technical understanding and, through activity descriptions with notes for the facilitators, it provides sufficient guidance for trainers to be able to lead trainings on the technical content. The guide also provides step-by-step guidance to support all stages of the implementation of the training programme. Through training on the topics in the Training Guide, farmers and field technicians will learn tactics for reducing unnecessary CPA use, they will find out how to select less toxic CPAs which are registered for use on tobacco, and in particular they will learn how to manage CPAs appropriately.