The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation has expanded to 2,027.79 hectares of sugarcane, with 1,980.44 hectares located in Negros Occidental, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported on Thursday, June 26.
The other provinces hit are Negros Oriental – 3.5 hectares, Iloilo – 24.75 hectares and Capiz – 19.1 hectares.
The infestation has affected 1,097 farmers.
The SRA said the 18 areas hit by RSSI in Negros Occidental are La Castellana, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Bago City, Pulupandan, Murcia, Bacolod City, Talisay City, Don Salvador Benedicto, EB Magalona, Silay City, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City and Escalante City.
But the SRA also reported that 228.16 hectares are recovering from RSSI in Bago City, Murcia, EB Magalona, Silay City, Victorias City, and Manapla in Negros Occidental; Mabinay in Negros Oriental; and Sigma in Capiz.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said he has instructed the La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center (LGAREC) to study the effects of RSSI on recovered canes as soon as they mature.
This is to determine the extent of damage as other countries have reported that it can lower sugar content by as much as 50 percent, he said.
RSSI is a sap-sucking pest that feeds on the lower leaves of sugarcane and moves upward as the infestation progresses, the Philippine Sugar Research Foundation Inc. (PHILSURIN) said.
RSSI is a concern because it causes yellowing, drying, and wilting of sugarcane leaves, and weakens the plant and affects overall crop health, it said
It can spread quickly from one field to another if left unmanaged, PHILSURIN added.*