Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Ipil ipil ree





Small to medium-sized tree with doubly compound leaves to 25 cm long. Flowers are white, in round clusters. Pods are numerous, flat and shiny brown. A native of tropical America, it is now thoroughly naturalized thoughout the tropics including the Philippines. Usually a bush or small tree up to 6 m high, giant strains to 15 m and more have been introduced from Hawaii in the 1970s. It is extensively planted in the country as a reforestation species to control soil erosion. Highly resistant to high temperature, shade, drought, salinity, pests and disease.

Many ipil ipil trees grow in vacant lots in Alabang Hills, including some of the giant variety.

Heteropsylla cubana: impact on feeding systems in southwest Asia and the Pacific
by F.A. Moog

INTRODUCTION

In the seventies and early eighties, Leucaena became widespread and popular worldwide. Although in some cases the local or common varieties are considered weeds, in many situations it is an important plant with its improved varieties purposefully introduced for varied uses. No other tree legumes had been given as much attention as Leucaena. Most feeding trials, reforestation, agroforestry and soil conservation projects made use of or made reference to Leucaena. Too much emphasis was placed on Leucaena and it was looked on as a panacea species. This bias has now proved inadvisable because the psyllid or jumping lice (Heteropsylla cubana Crawford) problem arrived and still persists.

The Leucaena psyllid problem has been reviewed by NFTA (1988) and Napompeth (1989). Various authors have reported the extent of the psyllid damage and solutions being offered in different countries and locations.

Leucaena psyllids, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford, are tiny insects (1–2 mm) in the family Psyllidae (Homoptera). The eggs are yellow, found primarily on young terminal leaves, and hatch in 2–3 days. Nymphs, which resemble aphids, undergo five instars over 8–9 days. Adults are two to three times the size of the largest nymphal instar. Their reported colour has ranged from green to brown to whitish. They use stout legs to jump before taking flight when disturbed. Females begin laying eggs 1–3 days after becoming adults (NFTA, 1988).

The Leucaena psyllid is native to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America. Moving as uninvited passengers on aircraft or in high altitude winds, they arrived in Hawaii in 1984. They were first found in Taiwan in 1985, causing serious damage in 1986 and 1987 (Jiunn-Fuh, 1989) and were reported to be present in Cebu, Philippines in August 1985 (Moog and Sison, 1986). By 1986, they were reported in Australia, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam). In 1987, they arrived in Sri Lanka, making their way to Burma, China and India in 1988.

DAMAGES CAUSED BY PSYLLIDS

Damage brought about by the psyllid to established Leucaena plantations in different countries is presented in Table 1. Damage ranges from physical effects on the plant by defoliation to indirect, adverse effects on companion crops and reduced biomass for animal feeding, resulting in instability of the production system and financial loss. The socio-economic impact of the infestation is alarming.

IMPACT OF PSYLLID IN THE PHILIPPINES

The psyllid has affected the more intensive smallholder beef producer, where Leucaena is the most valuable component of the animal feeding system. A survey in Malimatoc, a village in the town of Mabini, Batan-gas province, where cattle raising is the primary enterprise in the villages and with Leucaena as the main crop for animal feeding showed the following results (Moog and Sison, 1986).

The foremost problems caused by the infestation were stunted growth and death of plants and feed shortage. The infestation resulted in reduced feed supply so farmers resorted to feeding other plant materials such as banana leaves and trunks, corn stover, coconut fronds, etc. However, with the lower feeding value of these substitute materials, most of the animals became weak and susceptible to diseases. About 74% of farmers reported that their animals became sick and four of them reported death of animals. The majority of the farmers (83.9%) reported loss of profit (Table 2).

TABLE 1. Damage/impact and research concern/control/action taken on psyllid in different countries
CountryRole/Use of LeucaenaPsyllid Damage/ ImpactResearch Concern/ Control/Action Taken
AUSTRALIA Bray et al. (1989)PastureProduction reduced by 50 %Resistant varieties Alternative species Predator Parasites
INDIA Veeresh (1989)FodderPlantation DevastatedNatural enemies: Coccinalids, praying manthids, mirids and chrysopids, staphylivid beetle, white muscardine fungus, anthacorid bug
Krishnamurthy et al. (1989)Fodder/ Alley cropFodder yield reducedResistant species/cultivars
INDONESIA Malessy (1987)FodderFodder production decreased Farmers stopped fattening cattle. Reduced cattle sales resulting in reduced local government income
Mangoendihardjo et al. (1989)Shade35 to 50 percent loss in harvest of coffee. Loss in income from sale of Leucaena seedSpraying with insecticide Use of predator Curinus coerulus
Oka (1989)Shade tree Fodder Reforestation Charcoal/firewood green mixture, timber leaf meal, veg.Economic lossNational Task Force for Psyllid Control was created Released of predator Curinus coeruleus
Oka et al. (1987) Millions of trees died Hampers reforestation and soil reclamation programmesSystemic insecticide (monocrotophos); Curinusadults was introduced and being multiplied
Hollenbeck (1987)Shade Re-greening Feed FuelwoodReduced crop (cacao, coffee, black pepper and cardamon) yield and income Less feed resulting to use of low-quality feed materials. Greater soil loss and instabi- lity of water tables to regenerate quicklyWide spectrum insecticide (expensive) Lady bugs (Curinus coeruleus) Olla abdominalis Resistant varieties/alternative species
Piggin and Parera (1987)Soil stabilization Fodder50 % of trees affected Losses in exports of live- stock, coffee, cocoa and vanillaCutting and burning both infested and uninfested trees and spraying diagmon and injection of azodrin
MALAYSIA Lim et al. (1989)FodderTrees defoliatedResistant varieties
PHILIPPINES Sanchez (1989)Fuelwood Fodder Alley crop50 % loss in production Leaf meal production reduced Price of fuelwood rose Farmers became reluctant to plantBiological studies on psyllid Resistant varieties
De Guzman (1987)Feed/fodder reforestation Soil conservation Green manure Nurse treesMortality of plants reduced animal holding Reduced farmers' income Weakened link between rural people and governmentResistant alternative species
SRI LANKA Gunasena et al. (1989)Fodder Leaf meal Fuelwood Alley crop Shade CompostMost farmers shifted to GliricidiaAnnual cropping between alleys of Leucaena Pruning and burning of leaves Resistant species
TAIWAN Jiunn-Fuh (1989) Serious damageReplaced by other tree species Spraying insecticides by airplane Resistant species Natural enemies:
-Parasitic wasp
-Coccinelids
-Bugs
-Entomopogous fungi
THAILAND Napompeth (1989)Vegetable Fodder Alley crop AgroforestryYoung shoots disappeared in the market Plantation abandoned, ploughed up and replaced by other crops Farmers could not supply leaves to feed millsEcology, evaluation and introduction of natural enemies and entomopathol- ogens, IPM Covering young top shoots
VIETNAM Ich and Tru (1989) Defoliation of treesCoccinelids as predators
WESTERN SAMOAWeed Cocoa shade75 % of infested plants diedSpraying Demettonte (Perfecthion) Grow cocoa under coconuts using Sesbania grandiflora as shade
TABLE 2. Problems encountered by farmers due to ipil-ipil infestation
ProblemsRespondents (31)
FrequencyPercent
Stunted/Poor growth of Ipil-Ipil31100
Death of Ipil-Ipil31100
Feed shortage31100
Animals became susceptible to929
diseases/animals got sick
Thinning of animals2374.2
Death of animals412.9
Profit loss2683.9
TABLE 3. Animal holding before and during infestation
Before InfestationDuring Infestation
Animal HoldingNo. of FarmersNo. of Animals*Animal Holding/No. of farmersNo. of Animals*
01234
82161-1--2
7321--1-210
6212-1--15
5315-111-6
4424111-110
339-12--5
2918225--12
111-1---1
020111--2
TOTAL31116 53

* Animal holding multiplied by number of farmers

The 31 farmer respondents were raising a total of 115 animals before infestation occurred. However, due to the severe damage suffered by Leucaena, the number of animals was reduced to 50 percent (Table 3). Three quarters of the respondents reduced the number of animals they raised. One of the two farmers raising 8 head totally stopped raising cattle, while the other reduced it to 4.

Psyllid in Cebu province

The infestation also affected the feed milling industry which utilized it as a source of xanthophyll and carotene in mixed feeds. Likewise, it also affected the smallholder farmers who grow, harvest and sell the leaves to merchants and feedmills. A survey in Cebu showed the effects of the infestation on the smallholder farms and on the export of pelleted ipil-ipil leaf meal.

Table 4 shows the effects of psyllid infestation among the three ipil-ipil farmers' associations involving 770 members in Cebu. Each association used to harvest 6–8 tonnes of dried ipil-ipil leaves per month. Their Ipil-ipil plantations were totally infested and, when the infestation occurred, they reported no harvest. Some farmers who raised cattle stopped raising animals or reduced the number of animals they raised. It was observed that the infestation had also brought down livestock sales and transaction in the nearby livestock market. Dumanjug Cattle Raisers' Association reported that animal holdings of its members were reduced from 495 to 250 head, a reduction of about 50% (similar to the observations in Batangas). In the absence of ipil-ipil, they used banana leaves and trunks, leaves of rain tree (Samanea saman) and whatever grasses were available as animal feed.

Annual export of ipil-ipil from 1983 to 1985 ranged from 6,400 to 8,900 tons (Table 5). Although the quantity of exports in 1985 was higher than that of 1984, the amount of ipil-ipil exported went down during the months of October, November and December 1985 when the infestation occurred (Moog and Sison, 1986). Exports from October to November 1985 was only 24% of that for the same months in 1984. No exports were recorded from 1986 to date.

TABLE 4. Effect of psyllid infestation on 3 farmers groups in Cebu, Philippines.
ITEMCATMON
Ipil-Ipil Planters Ass'n.
DUMANJUG
Cattle Raiser's Association
ALOQUINSAN
Ipil-Ipil Planters' Ass'n.
No. of Members11355765
Area (ha) planted to ipil-ipil113557100
Main Use of Ipil-ipilFirewoodFeeds & FirewoodFeeds & Firewood
% Infestation100100No data available
Data when pest first observedAugust 19852nd week of October 19852nd week of October 1985
Leaf production per month
Before infestation6–7 tons8 tons6 tons
During infestation000
No. of animals fattened Before infestationno available data495no available data
During infestation-do-250-do-
Substitute feeds-do-Mostly grasses, banana leaves & trunks & other legumes such as Samanea and Gliricidia-do-

Source: Department of Agriculture, Cebu City

TABLE 5. Exports of ipil-ipil, 1983–1986 (tons).
Year198319841985
January594727549
February687449103
March725549885
April9655491123
May892545989
June8797201004
July914630669
August107627342
September798586148
October40391142
November50134748
December72327450
TOTAL889463938252

Source : Animal Feed Control Division, BAI

CONCLUSIONS

Too much emphasis has been placed on Leucaena and its infestation with H. cubana is a catastrophe. The principles of ecology are that the more diverse the community is, the more stable will be. Organized evaluation trials on psyllid-resistant Leucaena species and cultivars are in progress but results may not be forthcoming in the short-term. Meanwhile, there is a pressing need to change the reliance on Leucaena. The tropics are imbued with numerous tropical fodder legumes like Sesbania, Erythrina and Gliricidia and their potentials should be tapped and enhanced.

Bibliography

Bray, R.A., Julien, M.H. and Room P.M. 1989. Leucaena Psyllid in Australia - The Current Position. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 8–11.

De Guzman, E. 1987. Summary report: Status of psyllid infestation in the Philippines. In: Proceedings of a Workshop on The Biological and Genetic Control Strategies for the Leucaena Psyllid. NFTA. 7(2): 77–78.

Gunasena, H.P.M., Wick-ramasinghe, I.P. and Hitinayake, H.M.G.S.B. 1989. Status of management of Leucaena psyllid Heteropsylla cubana in Sri Lanka. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 43–44.

Hollenbeck, L. 1987. Some economic implications of the psyllid (kutu loncat) infestation on lamtoro (Leucaena) in Indonesia. In: Proceedings of a workshop on The biological and genetic control strategies for the Leucaena psyllid. 7(2): 66–67

Ich, B.V. and Tru, D.Q. 1989. Research on Heteropsylla cubana Crawford in Vietnam In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 54–55.

Jiunn-Fuh, P. 1989. Leucaena psyllid in Republic of China - A Country Report. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indoesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 12–13.

Krishnamurthy, K., Munegowda, M.K. and Rajagopal D. 1989. Outbreak of psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford, on Leucaena and its outlook in alley cropping in India. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 17–24.

Lim, C.S., Tan, C.L. and Wong, C.C. 1989. Studies on Leucaena psyllid in Malaysia. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken; K.G. (eds.) pp. 28–39.

Malessy, C.H. 1987. Losses caused by H. cubana to the cattle industry in Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. In: Proceedings of a workshop on The biological and genetic control strategies for the Leucaena psyllid 7(2): 68.

Mangoendihardjo, S., Wagiman, F.X., Sulthoni, A. and Subyanto 1989. Economic impact of Leucaena psyllid infestation on estate crops and teak forest. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 184–188.

Moog, F.A. and Sison, J.P. 1986. Impact of the ipil-ipil psyllid infestation on the animal industry. Bureau of Animal Industry, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines (Mimeographed) 12 pp.

NFTA. 1988. Leucaena psyllids - A review of the problems and solutions. In: NFTA Highlights 2 pp.

Napompeth, B. 1989. Leucaena psyllid in Thailand - A Country Report. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 45–53.

Oka, I.N., Wardoyo, S. and Soehardjan, M. 1987. Leucaena psyllid (H. cubana Crawford): A new serious pest of Leucaena trees in Indonesia and its control. In: Proceedings of a workshop on The biological and genetic control strategies for the Leucaena psyllid 7(2):69.

Oka, I.N. 1989. Progress and Future Activities of the Leucaena Psyllid Research Program in Indonesia. In: Proceedings of a workshop on The biological and genetic control

strategies for the Leucaena psyllid 7(2): 25–27.

Piggin, C. and Parera, V. 1987. Leucaena and Heteropsylla spp. in Nusa Teggara Timur. In: Proceedings of a workshop on The biological and genetic control strategies for the Leucaena psyllid 7(2): 70.

Sanchez, F.F. 1989. Leucaena psyllid in the Philippines - a country report. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 40–42.

Veeresh, G.K. 1989. The status of Leucaena psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford in India. In: Leucaena psyllid: problems and management. Proceedings of an International Workshop held January 16–21, 1989 in Bogor, Indonesia. Napompeth B. and MacDicken, K.G. (eds.) pp. 14–16.


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