The Provincial Biosecurity Task Force has sprayed pathogenic fungi or biocontrol agents on 77.30 hectares of sugarcane crops that have been low and moderately affected by red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in Negros Occidental to prevent the spread of the pests.
The spraying of the fungi to prevent the spread of RSSI in Bago City, La Carlota City, and Murcia has so far covered 5 percent of the Level 1 and 2 target areas, Engineer Colen Ocalinas, action officer of the Provincial Biosecurity Task Force, said at a press conference with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Their next areas to be sprayed are Ilog, Hinigaran, and Manapla, Ocalinas said.
They are also continuing mapping operations to identify sugarcane fields hit by Level 1 and 2 RSSI infestation, she said.
Lacson said they are leaving the measures to address Level 3 RSSI infestation to the local government units.
“The effectivity of the fungus is already established from the last crop year… that is why the provincial government is working on multiplying its production” in various laboratories, Ocalinas said.
Spraying of fungi should be done at least six hours before the rain hits for it to be effective, Lacson said.
But rain also slows down the swift spread of RSSI as they spread faster in the heat, Ocalinas said.
Lacson said the provincial government has also allocated P10 million for the propagation, with the help of the Philippine Sugar Research Institute, of the 171 sugarcane variety that is the least affected by RSSI.
He said some landowners have offered land to be used as nurseries to propagate the 171 variety.*
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