Since the third week of June, there have been reports of a vast infestation of fall armyworm in sugarcane and corn in Negros Occidental. The NCPC team, led by Director Barbara L. Caoili, conducted a field visit and assessment to investigate insect pest infestation in sugarcane in Negros Occidental from July 3 to 4. The focus areas were Himamaylan, Binalbagan, and Hinigiran, with coordination from Congressman Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo III of Negros Occidental’s 5th congressional district. The NCPC team, consisting of Dr. Caoili, Scientist Melissa P. Montecalvo, Mr. Normandy M. Barbecho, Mr. Vincent G. Vertudes, and Ms. Romalene L. Miras, found infestations of fall armyworm, cutworm, and various species of worms in the sugarcane fields. In Himamaylan, a specific area showed pest damage at 100%.
On July 3, the local government unit (LGU) of Negros Occidental’s 5th congressional district, led by Congressman Yulo, organized a forum in Himamaylan. The Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA), Department of Agriculture – Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and sugarcane planters attended the forum. At this event, the NCPC team presented the research and extension initiatives of NCPC and their initial assessment of pest infestation in sugarcane at Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan.
After the forum, the NCPC team continued its site visit, monitoring, and collection of specimens in sugarcane as well as corn fields infested by fall armyworm. They also collected parasitized eggs and dead larvae covered by fungi to study potential biological control agents against fall armyworms in sugarcane. Additionally, fall armyworms were found to infest various weeds associated with sugarcane and caused damage to an ornamental plant planted near the sugarcane field.
On July 4, Congressman Yulo’s team organized another Stakeholder’s Forum in Binalbagan, with the participation of sugarcane millers and planters, SRA, DA-RCPC, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), OPA, LGU, and Municipal Agriculture Offices, and private industries. The purpose of this forum was to discuss NCPC’s assessment of the three municipalities and its comprehensive recommendation. The team also presented the possible biological control agents obtained during the site visit aside from the existing biological control agents studied by NCPC with confirmed effectiveness in controlling fall armyworms in corn. Congressman Yulo sees the importance of proper insecticide spraying for effective insect management. Hence, a part of the forum was to train the planters on the proper insecticide spraying. Mr. Vertudes led the insecticide spraying demonstration and hands-on activity.
Dr. Caoili is collaborating with DA-BPI and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to obtain an emergency use permit. Research on molecular and morpho-cultural identification, susceptibility tests on various insecticides, and identification and mass production of biological control agents collected during the site visit are among the studies that NCPC will conduct for the sound management of fall armyworms in sugarcane.
On July 3, the local government unit (LGU) of Negros Occidental’s 5th congressional district, led by Congressman Yulo, organized a forum in Himamaylan. The Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA), Department of Agriculture – Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and sugarcane planters attended the forum. At this event, the NCPC team presented the research and extension initiatives of NCPC and their initial assessment of pest infestation in sugarcane at Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan.
After the forum, the NCPC team continued its site visit, monitoring, and collection of specimens in sugarcane as well as corn fields infested by fall armyworm. They also collected parasitized eggs and dead larvae covered by fungi to study potential biological control agents against fall armyworms in sugarcane. Additionally, fall armyworms were found to infest various weeds associated with sugarcane and caused damage to an ornamental plant planted near the sugarcane field.
On July 4, Congressman Yulo’s team organized another Stakeholder’s Forum in Binalbagan, with the participation of sugarcane millers and planters, SRA, DA-RCPC, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), OPA, LGU, and Municipal Agriculture Offices, and private industries. The purpose of this forum was to discuss NCPC’s assessment of the three municipalities and its comprehensive recommendation. The team also presented the possible biological control agents obtained during the site visit aside from the existing biological control agents studied by NCPC with confirmed effectiveness in controlling fall armyworms in corn. Congressman Yulo sees the importance of proper insecticide spraying for effective insect management. Hence, a part of the forum was to train the planters on the proper insecticide spraying. Mr. Vertudes led the insecticide spraying demonstration and hands-on activity.
Dr. Caoili is collaborating with DA-BPI and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to obtain an emergency use permit. Research on molecular and morpho-cultural identification, susceptibility tests on various insecticides, and identification and mass production of biological control agents collected during the site visit are among the studies that NCPC will conduct for the sound management of fall armyworms in sugarcane.
