Monday, October 09, 2006
'Tungro' virus seen to destroy Kalinga rice production
BAGUIO CITY -- Kalinga rice farmers expect at least P20 million in losses this wet cropping after their rice plants have been infested by "tungro," considered as the most dreadful palay disease.
Agriculture Provincial Rice Specialist Joe Casibang confirmed the infestation of "tungro" after conducting actual inspection in affected areas. The disease has now affected about 560 hectares of palay in Barangays Agbannawag, Bulo, Lacnog, Madopdop, Nambaran, Mapaway and Ipil, all of this town.
Casibang said "tungro" is a disease known in the province that can cause the heaviest damage to rice, with a 68 percent production loss.
It also happened at the time when rice plants are still recovering from the attack of the bacteria-base leaf blight as early as July. But unlike leaf blight, which can be treated by bactericides, "tungro" has no cure.
Infested rice plants bear almost the same symptom with that of leaf blight, which is characterized by the yellowing of leaves. However, with "tungro" there is the clasping of stems, making the plant stunted.
To prevent the further spread of the disease, the agriculture department in Kalinga recommended two pest management options to farmers. Some insects known as green leafhoppers spread "tungro" virus, farmers need to eradicate the vectors with massive spraying of insecticides.
For the farming method, the agency is recommending a six weeks cropping gap to totally eliminate the green leaf hoppers, which feed on the remaining vegetation after harvest.
In six weeks time, all have dried leaving nothing for the insect vectors to eat. Insect vectors usually feed on young stems, making them hop from one area to another. Synchronized planting by area to avoid the possibility of any feeding point for green leafhoppers is recommended in such instances, Casibang said.
A study of the agriculture department showed that there are some rice varieties that are highly susceptible to the virus like the PJ varieties. However, the "tungro" virus runs across all varieties once it has developed in an area.
Another preventive practice is proper irrigation management, as the virus could be carried by irrigation water from one paddy to another. Overflowing irrigation water can be another vector of the disease.
Alarmed by the extent of damages often caused by crop infestation in the province, Casibang said there is an immediate need for a plant pathologist and entomologist who could lead the disease surveillance and detection team. (Sun.Star Baguio)
(October 9, 2006 issue)
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