Iloilo Farmers Learn Control Of Rice Black Bugs

A farmer in Bgy. Central, Ajuy, Iloilo said that use of Metarhizium anisopliae given by the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) has helped control rice black bugs (RBB) in his farm.

“It has effectively protected my rice farm in its early vegetative stage,” farmer Juanito Biclar, Jr. said.

He said that early detection, proper application of Metarhizium anisopliae, water management, field sanitation and light trapping are important in preventing rice burn damage caused by RBB.

“My five-hectare rice farm planted with RC 10 variety now on its dough stage is bearing more grains, and was saved from RBB infestation which is rampant during dry season,” Biclar said.

Rene B. Famoso, RCPC chief, said that for 2015, the center had distributed a total of 2,192 packs of 500 grams per pack of Metarhizium anisopliae in the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental which were infested by RBB due to El Niño.

The towns affected in Iloilo were Ajuy, Calinog, Sara, Sta. Barbara, Bingawan, Banate, Zarraga, San Enrique, Passi, New Lucena, Dumanhas, Cabatuan, Dingle and Jaro, Iloilo City.

In Capiz, the towns affected were Tapaz, Dumalag, Mambusao, Cuartero, Maayon, Dao and Dumarao.

The cities of Cadiz and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental were identified to be affected.

Famoso said he encouraged the famers to use Metarhizium anisopliae as it was given free and he told them to make have their request for the biological control agent, signed by their municipal agriculture officer or agricultural technicians.

“Farmers should also practice fallow periods, or not seeding them for a certain period of time to break the cycle of pests and diseases in the area,” Famoso said.

As per monitoring the RCPC has not monitored any other pest and diseases outbreak in the region, aside from the RBB, in spite of the continuing dry spell.

Meanwhile, farmer Biclar said he was optimistic that he will have a good harvest this cropping season.

“I plan not to cultivate my farm after, to stop the cycle of RBB until the wet season comes in,” Biclar said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)