Effect of chemical control of Hypsipyla grandella on Swietenia macrophylla growth in agroforestry systems in the Atlantic coast of Honduras

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of chemical treatment as control of Hypsipyla grandella (shoot borer) on Swietenia macrophylla King (mahogany) trees growing in two cacao agroforestry systems (AFS) on the UNAH-Atlántida campus. Mahogany is susceptible to attacks from the shoot borer, which reduces its growth and causes bifurcation and stem deformities. A chemical treatment (tiacloprid, beta-ciflutrine, in solution) was applied during the first two years against the shoot borer on trees in one AFS, while trees in another AFS were left untreated. After the first two years, formative pruning was applied to trees in both AFS. Tree growth was evaluated using DBH and height, while stem quality was evaluated using stem form, inclination, bifurcation and stem straightness. The results showed that treated trees suffered fewer pest attacks than untreated trees, exhibited significantly greater growth in DBH and height, and had better stem quality. The findings of this study demonstrated that, with proper control of the shoot borer, mahogany trees can be successfully planted as permanent shade in agroforestry systems, offering great economic benefits for farmers.