Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research
Project Number: 2040-22430-027-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2020
End Date: Aug 31, 2022
Objective:
The principal objective of this project is to find ways to reduce the damage of the coffee berry borer (CBB or broca) and other pests and diseases of coffee on Puerto Rican coffee farms. The specific goals are: 1) Develop ways to reduce pest populations and disease through good sanitation and management; 2) Conduct basic biological studies of pests, diseases and their natural enemies under local conditions; 3) Optimize cultural methods to reduce pest and disease incidence and facilitate IPM (Integrated Pest Management); and 4) Communicate pest management strategies through outreach to coffee growers.
Approach:
The coffee berry borer (CBB) was first reported in Puerto Rico in 2007 and Hawaii in 2010. CBB spends the majority of its life cycle inside the coffee berries where it is highly protected from control measures. An Integrated pest management (IPM) system has been developed to control CBB and will be adapted for use against other important pests and diseases, including coffee fruit rot and coffee leaf rust. Associations between CBB, Beauveria bassiana, and coffee fruit rots will be determined. Scientists will expand technology transfer in Puerto Rico and exchange research, technology and decision support tools with scientists in Hawaii. Predictive models will be used to implement control measures for CBB and other pests and diseases. Outreach activities will target education of growers, extension agents and the public about CBB and control strategies in Spanish and English.
