Rice diseases prevalent during rainy season – PhilRice
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has warned local farmers about the presence of pests and other rice diseases that are more prevalent during the rainy season.
Jennifer Niones, chief of PhilRice’s crop protection division (CPD), said tungro, bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and fungal diseases such as rice blast and sheath blight are among the major rice diseases that could plague farmlands.
Niones said rice diseases are more prevalent during the rainy season as weather conditions are conducive to disease development and severity.
She urged farmers to choose pest- and disease- resistant modern varieties such as PSB Rc10, Rc242 and Rc 216.
“Actually, there are many modern varieties resistant to pests and diseases but these three stand out,” she said, adding early detection is the best way to prevent the spread of rice diseases.
She explained that PSB Rc10 is resistant to rice blast, Rc242 against BLB and Rc 216 against green leafhopper.
“Choosing the right variety to plant that is high-yielding and adaptable to the local environment is crucial. Farmers must select varieties resistant to the diseases that previously attacked their farm,” she said.
Niones added that farmers should ensure that land is prepared before planting as pathogens and other bacteria can thrive in unde composed rice stubble and straw.
The modified dapog method is also recommended to fasttrack seeding preparation and minimize transplanting shock.
Farmers should keep nursery beds and main fields from flooding and reduce plant injury during transplanting.
Plant sanitation and regular weeding should also be practiced.
Niones reminds farmers to avoid excessive use of nitrogen and synthetic chemicals in case of pest and disease infestation.
She said such use is a waste of resources and that farmers should instead focus on preventing the onset of disease, not by spraying but by applying cultural management practices.
Niones added that the use of chemicals to control BLB is not economical and effective.
At present, CPD researchers are screening breeding lines that are resistant to rice diseases, particularly traditional varieties which are said to be resistant to rice blast.
They are also exploring the use of beneficial microorganisms as potential bio-control agents against BLB and blast.