Tacloban City --- Due to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) incident in Palapag, Northern Samar, the Department of Agriculture 8 (DA-RFO 8) has been validating and monitoring the uncontrollable widespread damage on the 244 hectare rice area.
According to Ms. Veronica J. Berenguer, DA Chief regional crop protection center of integrated laboratory division, that the disease on rice in Palapag was observed after flooding due to heavy rainfall in the area for 3 days last Dec. 2016 and was followed by frequent strong winds until the month of Feb. 2017.
She added that the BLB stopper which is copper-based fungicide is no longer applicable because the GSP are already mature and some are already harvested. The rice was burned to kill some pathogens in the affected areas.
Because of the incident, DA has encouraged DA-LGUs to conduct regular or weekly pest monitoring activity to keep on guard of any sudden pest incidence.
"The monitoring will serve as an observation so that immediate management actions should be done to suppress and mitigate the pest at the very earliest time," she stated.
Moreover, it has been observed that the hybrid rice variety, an SL-8H is susceptible to bacteria than inbred rice variety because of its wide leaf blades which can be easily injured during strong winds and heavy rains where injured plants served as the entry point of the bacterium.
“We recommended to change the rice variety for the next planting season preferably resistant variety like inbred rice,” Berenguer said.
BLB infestation has also affected the areas of Victoria and Las Navas, Northern Samar and immediate spraying has been supplied since the rice areas are on the flowering stage and still could be prevented to contain severity.
Series of information drives and farmers’ meetings will be carried out in Palapag and other affected areas before the planting season through the coordination and participation of DA-RFO8, PLGU, and MLGUs. (DA-8)
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