RURAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

This serves as an advisory specifically for scallion farmers in South Manchester and South St. Elizabeth

Based on the Beet Armyworm (BAW) Risk Assessment conducted on March 14, 2019 by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and Bodles Research Station the Beet Armyworm population in Pedro Plains and Cross Keys are above the threshold and of concern at this time and needs to be managed to reduce the population. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) and RADA are therefore advising farmers of the following strategies to employ in order to maintain the BAW pest population below economic levels: Field Scouting for BAW Monitoring should be done at least twice per week. Monitor for the early detection of the egg sacs often deposited near the tip of leaves. Newly hatched worms will emerge within three days. This is critical as these are the most vulnerable and susceptible stages where cultural and chemical strategies are to be applied. Handpicking is recommended where practical. Continue to utilize the pheromone traps as a monitoring tool to detect the early arrival of the migrating beet armyworm adults (or bats). Close attention needs to be given to older onion fields; 9-10 weeks maturity. Pest shows a high preference for onion during this period. Continue crop care, with emphasis on cultural practices. Establishment on new onion fields should be avoided this time. Harvesting of onion crop should be completed by the end of March to avoid crop damage by BAW. No expansion of scallion is encouraged between February to June; crop rotation with crops non-preferred by BAW (hot pepper, thyme, pumpkin, melon) is being encouraged. Apply pesticides as necessary targeting early instars, or very young worms. Effectiveness of the treatments may be enhanced in small plots by clipping off the leaf tips prior to application. When spraying, choose least toxic, biorational insecticides, to minimize negative impact on natural enemies (or farmers friends). Only apply insecticides approved for use on scallion and onion crops. Manage all weeds within and surrounding the fields which may harbour the pest especially grasses around these fields during the rainy period as they may become an additional host for the pest. To reduce the overnight impact of migrating older worms, dig trenches 1ft deep around the plots. Unmanaged or abandoned plants encourage the build-up of beet armyworm populations. Follow advisories. Contact your RADA extension officer if you are noticing an increase in beet armyworm population in your field.