KALIBO, Aklan – Corn crops infestation has been observed in eight municipalities of the province, an Aklan agriculturist reported.
Assistant provincial agriculturist Salome David confirmed the attacks of Fall Armyworm in the municipalities of Altavas, Banga, Libacao, Kalibo, Madalag, Malinao, Ibajay and Numancia.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) of Aklan advised farmers to use Integrated Pest Management strategies, which include both chemical and cultural approaches, to counter the attacks of Fall Armyworm especially on corn crops in the province.
This insect pest has a very wide host range reported to feed up to 353 host plant species and may cause significant yield reduction in major cultivated cereals such as rice, corn and sorghum as well as legumes, vegetable crops, and cotton, if not managed.
OPA-Aklan also urged the farmers to employ crop rotation and make use of bio-control measures such as earwigs, lacewigs and Metharhizium.
In Barangay Regador, Ibajay, Aklan, OPA personnel observed 50 percent level of infestation of the farmers’ corn crop mostly at seedling stage.
With this infestation, the agriculture sector is now on alert, with agriculture officers from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and LGUs closely undertaking monitoring and detection surveys as part of intense surveillance activities.
According to OPA-Aklan, a FAW task force had been created to spearhead both detection and mitigation measures.
With the infestation of this pest in the province, OPA further advised farmers to report suspected damage and to take necessary measures to control or mitigate its effect.
According to OPA, affected corn cultivars at this point are glutinous, native, and sweet corn. (with a report from PIA-6 Aklan/PN)
