𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐕-𝐁 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟓-𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.
Published by Crop Pest Management Division
The Bureau of Plant Industry – Crop Pest Management Division (BPI-CPMD) together with the DA-Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), DA-Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD), and the technical staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) conducted field validations as well as collection of onion armyworm specimens in barangay Nasucob, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on April 16-18, 2024.
The collected pest specimens (eggs and larvae of harabas) from selected farms were brought to the laboratory for research on the management against onion armyworm. During the interview, the farmers said that they used to spray systemic insecticides to suppress the said pest. The infestation started last February and since then, the onion plants have recovered due to their various practices and interventions.
The most common onion varieties used by farmers were Red Pinoy and Super Pinoy, and they are currently all at the harvesting stage. Farmers are hoping for a decent farm gate price since this is one of their issues. Also, interested farmers shared that they are willing to use pheromone lures for the next cropping season. The BPI and DA-RFO-IVB will visit again in the next season of onion to address their concerns regarding pest and disease management.
