Bio-economic analysis of coffee berry borer control

 Coffee, after petroleum, is the most valuable commodity globally in terms of total value (harvest to coffee cup). Here, our bioeconomic analysis considers the multitude of factors that influence coffee production. The system model used in the analysis incorporates realistic field models based on considerable new field data and models for coffee plant growth and development, the coffee/coffee berry borer (CBB) dynamics in response to coffee berry production and the role of the CBB parasitoids and their interactions in control of CBB. Cultural control of CBB by harvesting, cleanup of abscised fruits, and chemical sprays previously considered are reexamined here to include biopesticides for control of CBB such as entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae) and entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema sp., Heterorhabditis). The bioeconomic analysis estimates the potential of each control tactic singly and in combination for control of CBB. The analysis explains why frequent intensive harvesting of coffee is by far the most effective and economically viable control practice for reducing CBB infestations in Colombia and Brazil.

Cure J.R., Rodríguez D., Gutierrez A.P., Ponti L., 2020. The coffee agroecosystem: bio-economic analysis of coffee berry borer control (Hypothenemus hampei). Scientific Reports, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68989-x | Open access

Coffee system with all the components included. The complete system is embedded in a climate envelope which drives all the development and interaction variables using a physiologically based demographic model (PBDM). Diagram of the plant model (A) including the link to the coffee berry borer (CBB) model (B) and harvest and cleanup as part of CBB cultural management control (C). Effect of baited traps on capturing migrant adult females (D). The third trophic level is represented by four CBB parasitoids; the adult eulophid parasitoid Phymastichus coffee (E) and three bethylid parasitoids and their interactions, Cephalonomia stephanoderis, Cephalonomia hyalinipennis, and Prorops nasuta (F). Three active ingredients (a.i.) of insecticides are included in rotation, affecting the whole system (G), as well as the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis sp. (H) and the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana (I). The dashed line indicates information flow.

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