Abstract

BARBA, Anovel; ESPINOSA, Jaime  and  SURIS, Moraima. Adoption practice to agroecological pest management in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Azuero, Panamá. Rev. Protección Veg. [online]. 2015, vol.30, n.2, pp.104-114. ISSN 1010-2752.

The objective was to determine the level of adoption that will characterize existing knowledge and potentials to application towards agroecological pest management (APM) in Azuero Region (Panama). Direct observation on farms and implementation of surveys based on a probability sample, estimated from the population of existing agricultural exporters farmers. Four technological levels (high, medium, low and very low) was established by frequency of use of agroecological practices. Statistical comparisons were performed using contingency tables, graphs frequency, measures of central tendency and dispersion and principal component analysis on adoption rates of agroecological practices. It was determined that predominates low and very low adoption (80%) of agroecological practices. The crop rotation, crop residue removal and use of selective insecticides showed the highest rates of adoption. It was determined that gender and years of experience are crucial in the process of adoption, more willing to adopt a technology being men. It requires changes in training methods that allow the induction of comprehensive changes of farmers, families and social environment.

Keywords : agroecological pest management; watermelon; Citrullus lanatus.

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