Pest and dieses attach is a serious problem in almost all cocoa farming areas in the world, including in Lombok island. The recommended practical method to overcome the problem is commonly by applying synthetic pesticides, which often creates ecological problems. This research is focused on developing a new approach – applying SiPlus to improve the defense system of cocoa plants. The application of this material may be integrated with that of botanical pesticides and use of predators. As a newly introduced method, however, the real effectiveness of SiPlus application needs to be proven through field trials. Accordingly, the main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of SiPlus application as a single controlling agent, or it is integrated with botanical pesticides application or/and use of predators. Further, the most appropriate method being found from the trials will be applied in larger scale and disseminated to other farmers or cocoa communities. This research will be carried out in 3 steps (3 years). In the first step (2014), the research activities are (1) a baseline survey aimed mainly to have the up to date data of the characteristics of pest and dieses attaching cocoa in Lombok Island and agro-ecological condition (cluster) associating to those characteristics, (2) identification of locally available remedial plants and predators which may be used to control pest and dieses of cocoa, (3) a field trial for the application of SiPlus which is aimed to identify the effectiveness of SiPlus application and optimum rate or application frequency. Activity in the second step (2015) is an action research for the applications of the optimum rate of SiPlus (based on results of the first research step), botanical pesticides made from locally available remedial/pesticidal plants or materials, and use of predators in controlling various pests and dieses attaching cocoa. In the third step (2016), the recommended methods based on the results of the first and second steps will be disseminated to farmers in Lombok Island and shared it to others through regional/national workshop and publication.  The proposed targets of this 3-year research is (1) finding appropriate model or method that is effective and environmentally sound to control pests and diesis of cocoa, (2) the method is applied by most cocoa farmers in Lombok Island, and (3) the method is known by other cocoa communities and stakeholders. The anticipated immediate-positive impacts of this project are (1) the updated our
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Proposal for WCF-Indonesia 2013
P3LKT - UNRAM
practical knowledge with a new approach and method in controlling pest and diesis of cocoa, (2) the improvement of skill and knowledge of cocoa farmers mainly in Lombok Island in controlling pest and dieses attaches, which further increases their productivity and profitability (income) of cocoa farming, and (3) the increases of attention and support from governments/stakeholders to the development program of cocoa.   
Scope of the Project  
Background Cocoa has been well known as a world-important agricultural commodity; and in Indonesia, including in Lombok Island, the commodity has been a prioritized in the agriculture development plans. At present, the planting areas of cocoa in Lombok Island are about 5,500 hectares, mainly in the Districts of North Lombok (3,000 hectares) and East Lombok (1,300 hectares), and the remaining areas are in Central Lombok and West Lombok (P3LKT Unram, 2010). However, the productivity as well as profitability of the farming in Lombok Island is very low due to several constraints associating to technical as well as socio-economic aspects. In term of technical aspect, a common and serious problem of cocoa farming in Lombok Island is pest and dieses attracts. Accordingly, this research will be focused on handling this main technical problem. Since the method must be applicable on farm level of smallholder farmers, environmentally sound, and sustainable, the use of locally available resources or materials are proposed in this project. The main pests attaching cocoa in Lombok Island that significantly reduces the production are the Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB), also known as Cocoa Moth, which is caused by the insect Conopomorpha cramerella; and the Helopeltis spp. is responsible for the damage related to mirids while Monalonion species. Meanwhile, the main diesis of cocoa in Lombok Island mainly is Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD) caused by Oncobasidium theobromae (Irianto and Suwardji, 2005). The other existing dieses are black pod caused by fungus (basidiomycete) Moniliophthora roreri, and pod rot, also known as Black Pod, caused by the fungus Phytophthora spp. To have effective actions, the present condition of cocoa farming in Lombok Island, especially of that associating to the intensity, distribution, and main pathogens attaching cocoa trees, must be updated through field observations. Moreover, efforts to overcome the problem must consider several factors associating to the characteristics of pest and dieses attaches, including cocoa variety or clones, general geophysical condition of farming area, as well as socio-economic condition of farmers. A newly introduced material for use to control pests and dieses on cocoa is SiPlus. This material (Siplus) is a liquid Si containing multi-nutrient fertilizer, developed by P3LKT Unram from silicate rocks. Application of SiPlus is proposed
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Proposal for WCF-Indonesia 2013
P3LKT - UNRAM
mainly to improve the defense system of cocoa plants.  Moreover, this application may be integrated with botanical pesticides and use of predators to maximize its effect in reducing the attach intensity of pest and dieses on cocoa. However, the real effectiveness of SiPlus as a single agent, or in combination with botanical pesticides or/and use of predators, to control pest and dieses needs to be evaluated before the method is adopted by farmers. SiPlus contains relatively high concentration of soluble silicate element (0.5 – 1 % Si), and its Si content may be increased accordingly to the need. Many researchers proven that applying Si significantly increased the resistance of various food crops to pathogen attaches (Bélanger et al., 2003; Fauteuex et al., 2005; Dann and Muir, 2006; Priyono and Muthahanas, 2012). In addition, the material also contains all plant-essential nutrients (except N). Based on these reasons, applying Siplus most probably will produce healthy (optimum growth) and resistant cocoa plants to pest and dieses attaches, which in turn reduces intensity of the attaches, or remediates the injures of plants being attached by pests and dieses. The application of botanical pesticides and use of predators, on the other hand, have been recommended and proven by experts as a good practice in controlling pests and dieses. Integrating those 3 methods is postulated to result optimum control to pest and dieses of cocoa in the target areas.  
Approach, Strategy, and Methods To construct appropriate field trials, accurate basic data of the areas in which the trials will be carried out must be available. Those data mainly associate to the present condition of distribution, intensity of attach, and kinds of pests or/and dieses existing in each area. The characteristics of pest and dieses in the areas are possibly associated to or correlated with the agro-ecological condition or/and farming system being practiced by farmers, and cocoa variety or clone grown by farmers in each specific areas. In addition, specific indigenous pesticidal plants and predators, other than of those that are already known, need to be identified. Those all data will be used as the main basis in constructing experimental design of the field trials as well as practical guidance for farmers.  The research will be carried out in three steps (years), described as follows: The first step (2014) 1. Conducting a baseline study (field survey) to identify and mapping (1) the characteristics of pest and dieses of cocoa in Lombok Island, cocoa variety grown by farmers, as well as agro-ecological variables associating to the existing pests and dieses, and (2) local remedial plants and predators. The area to be survived is about 5,500 ha. Based on results of the survey, the cocoa areas will be divided into at least 3 clusters, based on the unique characteristics of agro-ecological condition and existing pests and dieses in each cluster. The survey will also record the initial condition of gender issues
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Proposal for WCF-Indonesia 2013
P3LKT - UNRAM
(male – female equity), and socio-economic characteristics of farmers. 2. Conducting field trials in 3 clusters; each cluster has specific pest or/and dieses characteristics (type of dominant pathogen or attaching intensity). Applied treatment in each cluster is the frequency of SiPlus application, consisting of 0 (control), 1, 2, and 3 times per month, by spraying 0,2 % of SiPlus onto cocoa fruits and leafs. The treatment is randomly applied to 10 – 15 plants (as replications), and that is implemented for at 6 months. The main observed parameters will be the attach intensity of pest and dieses, quantity and quality of production.  3. Data of the trial are analyzed by applying statistical procedures (Anova or/and multivariate analyses, etc) accordingly to the characteristics of data or type of observed parameters. The main questions that should be answered in this trial associate to the following aspects.  a. The relative effectiveness of SiPlus in reducing the intensity attach of pests or/and dieses on cocoa. b. Kinds of pest or pathogen that are mostly affected by the treatment. c. Effects of the treatments on quantity and quality of cocoa yield. d. The optimum frequency of SiPlus application.  
The second step (2015): The second step is an action research (demonstration plots) for the applications of (1) SiPlus at optimum frequency (based on result of the first step), (2) combination of SiPlus and botanical pesticides, and (3) combination of SiPlus, botanical pesticide, and use of predators. The application of botanical pesticides in the treatments (2) and (3) is combined with 0.2 % SiPlus (those are mixed in a spraying tank at just before application). Those all treatments are applied in farming areas of selected farmers (20 farmers) that their plants are attached by pests or/and dieses. Those farmers are proposed to be the resource persons, sharing their experience to the other cocoa farmers in Lombok Island. Analyses of variant and least significant different are employed to compare the relative effectiveness among methods in controlling pest and dieses attaches.     
The third step (2016): The main activity in the third step of this research will be dissemination of appropriate pest and dieses controlling management for cocoa, based on results of the first and second research steps. It is started with a workshop, followed with field practices by farmers in 4 districts in Lombok Island. Representatives (2 – 3 persons) of cocoa farmer groups and main stakeholders from Lombok and Sumbawa Islands, and those from other center productions of cocoa in Indonesia are invited to the workshop. A field visit to the trial sites is conducted. After the meeting (workshop), most cocoa farmers (> 80 %) in Lombok are encouraged to apply SiPlus in their farming areas.
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Proposal for WCF-Indonesia 2013
P3LKT - UNRAM
The Objectives and Specific Targets The final goal of this 3-year project is to improve cocoa farming productivity and profitability in Lombok Island by overcoming the main problem, e.g., pest and dieses attaches. The specific objectives are (1) to identify the characteristics and distribution of pest and dieses of cocoa in Lombok Island, the effectiveness of SiPlus application as well as its optimum application frequency, to control pest and dieses attaches on cocoa, (2) to identify the effectiveness of applications of SiPlus, botanical pesticides, and use of predators, and (3) disseminating the new method of controlling pest and dieses attaches on cocoa, and implementing the method on cocoa farming areas in Lombok Island. The specific targets (outputs & outcomes) of the activities are summarized in Table 1.    Project Location This project will be carried out in 4 main areas (center production of cocoa) in in Lombok Island (West Lombok, Central Lombok, East Lombok, and North Lombok) (see Figure 1). Each area has its specific agro-ecological as well as socio-cultural and economic condition.