Sunday, September 07, 2008 Tungro virus hits South Cotabato
KORONADAL CITY -- Agriculture experts in South Cotabato province have warned farmers in the area to refrain from planting two varieties of palay at this time because of the onslaught of the tungro virus.
Reynaldo H. Legaste, provincial agriculture chief, said palay varieties RC 64 and RC 118 have been ravaged by tungro, a virus that mainly affects plants during vegetative growth and causes severe stunting and a reduction in the number of tillers.
"Not all varieties are performing better at this time, so please refrain from planting those two varieties. Almost the whole of South Cotabato has been affected by tungro. Many palay fields have turned yellow-orange [due to the onslaught of tungro]," he said.
Tungro, Legaste noted, is worse than the black bugs that infested the province's nearly 2,500 hectares of palay fields worth around P4.5 million in the few months leading to April 2008.
The provincial agriculture office has yet to release the damage wrought by the tungro disease, which is primarily spread by two species of green leafhoppers (Nephotettix malayanus and Nephotettix virescens).
Worst hit by tungro is the farming town of Norala in the second district of South Cotabato, the official reported.
Legaste blamed the resurgence of tungro in the province due to the continuous palay planting in the area, which was prompted by the high prices of rice back then that reached nearly P50 per kilogram here.
"Farmers should have given the lands a rest even for one cropping season," he added.
But compared to August last year, Legaste stressed that palay yield is generally better this month.
At the end of August 2008, palay is to be harvested in 5,000 hectares across South Cotabato, which will lead to a rice surplus of 7,000 metric tons, Legaste said.
He noted that rice in the local commercial markets can now be bought at P28 to P30 per kilo.
To help farmers from being hit by the tungro virus, Legaste dangled government-subsidized certified seeds.
The province has available certified rice seeds inventory of 2,600 bags that can be availed by the farmers at half the commercial price, he added. (BSS)
