BY IME SORNITO
ILOILO – The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Regional Crop Protection Center, has issued a warning to farmers in Western Visayas about possible pest infestations this January to March.
DA Region 6 released an advisory urging farmers to be vigilant against five major pests that could harm rice crops: Rice Stemborer, Rice Black Bug, Brown Planthopper, Bacterial Leaf Blight, and Rodents.
Historical data from DA reveal that these pests have been the most destructive to rice crops during the first quarter of the year.
“Be vigilant against pests that may attack your fields from January to March. The Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas Regional Crop Protection Center is ready to assist you with pest and disease concerns,” stated DA-6 in its announcement posted on their official Facebook page.
Management Options for Pest Control
To help farmers mitigate the impact of these pests, the DA has provided detailed management options.
Rice Stemborer
This pest bores into rice stems, disrupting nutrient flow and causing “deadheart” in young rice plants or “whiteheads” in mature crops. Common species in the Philippines include the yellow and white stemborers.
Recommended actions include thorough land preparation, planting resistant rice varieties, synchronous planting, cutting leaf tops at the seedling stage, handpicking and destroying egg masses, releasing Trichogramma Japonicum in fields, practicing field sanitation, and observing fallow periods.
Rice Black Bug (RBB)
The RBB sucks sap from rice stems near water, potentially causing “bug burn” or crop desiccation, especially in water-deficient fields.
Management measures include light trapping three days before and after the full moon, increasing water levels, herding ducks, plowing heavily infested fields immediately after harvest, using Metarhizium Anisopliae, and maintaining field sanitation.
Brown Planthopper
This pest drains sap from rice plants, which can lead to “hopperburn” in severe cases. It also spreads grassy stunt and ragged stunt viruses.
Control measures include synchronous planting, avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizer, planting resistant varieties, applying insecticides judiciously, flooding fields intermittently, and using biocontrol agents.
Bacterial Leaf Blight
This disease causes newly planted seedlings to wilt and die, with yellowish leaf tips and streaks that progress to complete leaf drying.
Preventive measures include thorough land preparation, good drainage, early detection through field monitoring, avoiding over-fertilization, removing and burning diseased stubbles and straw, and maintaining field sanitation.
Rodents
Rodents feed on newly planted seeds and cut rice stems, causing significant damage to crops.
Recommended actions include implementing community trap barrier systems, conducting rat hunts, practicing field sanitation, increasing water levels, using flame throwers, and synchronizing planting schedules.
Additional Recommendations
To prevent pest infestations, DA advises farmers to:
* Regularly inspect their rice fields for early pest detection.
* Avoid damaging roots and leaves to prevent disease entry.
* Refrain from overusing fertilizers.
* Remove weeds promptly.
* Cut and properly dispose of infected plants, ensuring they are not buried in rice fields.
The DA emphasized that early intervention and adherence to these guidelines are critical in minimizing pest damage and safeguarding rice yields. Farmers are encouraged to contact the DA Western Visayas Regional Crop Protection Center for further assistance./PN
